Dr. Duane Keith Rorie

Dr. Duane K. Rorie, a retired Mayo Clinic consultant in Anesthesiology and former Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology died on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, following a long illness. Born January 11, 1936 near Yellville, Arkansas, he received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Zoology and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. degree in Anatomy from the University of Mississippi. He interned in Internal Medicine and completed a residency in Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic. When Mayo Medical School opened in 1972, he became one of its first professors, teaching Gross Anatomy to medical students until 1980. He was appointed to the faculty of Mayo Clinic in 1973 as a consultant in Anesthesiology and subsequently served as Chair of the Division of Anesthesiology at Rochester Methodist Hospital. From 1990 to 1999 he was the Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. He became the first Reuben R. Eisenberg Professor in 1991. In 1999 he was named Medical Director of the newly formed Procedural Skills Laboratory. From 1977-1999, Dr. Rorie had an active research program funded by the National Institutes of Health. He was the author of numerous scientific articles, which were published in leading medical journals. He served as an examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology from 1983-1997.He was a member of the American Society of Anesthesiology, Minnesota Society of Anesthesiology, American Association of Anatomists, American Physiological Society, Association of University Anesthesiologists, Sigma Xi and the W.T.G. Morton Society. Dr. Rorie had a keen interest in nature and for many years owned a cabin on an island in Lake of the Woods where he enjoyed daily interactions with ducks, geese, fox, grouse, black bear, deer, otter and walleye. He enjoyed many deep sea fishing trips to Panama. He also enjoyed gardening, photography and traveling with his wife and daughters. Dr. Rorie is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 50 years, Carolyn, and their two daughters, Karen, of Rochester, and Kimberly, of St. Paul; five brothers, Forrest Gay (Nancy), Roderick, A.J. (Gayla), Kent (Ruth), Rick (Rebecca) and one sister, Ruth (Bob) Jones, and seven nieces and nephews, all of Arkansas. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 2:00 PM at Ranfrantz and Vine Funeral Homes of Rochester with visitation one hour prior to the service.There will be a private burial at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Seasons Hospice (1696 Greenview Dr. SW, Rochester, MN 55902) or the charity of your choice. The Rorie family wishes to thank all the staff of Shorewood Commons Assisted Living, Comfort Home Health Care and Seasons Hospice for their very loving care of Dr. Rorie.