I believe the "separation" from his wife and family was pretty much mutual. I think I would consider it abandonment. None the less, his work documenting the people and culture of the Appalachians is an amazing and educational treasure.

More about Kephart here
http://www.wcu.edu/library/digitalco.../biography.htm

I'm toying with the idea of a hike traversing some of the area he wandered. Visiting the sites of the places he talks about in the book.