Dr. William E. Mayberry

Former Mayo Clinic CEO and long time Mayo Clinic physician, William Eugene Mayberry, M.D., who led Mayo Clinic through a period of momentous growth in the 1970-80s, died on Sunday, September 18, at Charter House in Rochester, Minn. He was 87. Dr. Mayberry was born on August 22, 1929 in Cookeville, Tennessee, to Henry Eugene and Beatrice Maynard. He married his long time sweet heart, Jane Foster, on December 29, 1953, and they had two children, Ann and Paul. Dr. Mayberry graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1947 and the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in 1953. He served in the U.S. Navy, Underwater Demolition Team, for two years before beginning post-graduate work in Endocrinology. Dr. Mayberry continued his studies at Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Minnesota, New England Center Hospital, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases. His research interest was in thyroid function. A distinguished physician, research scientist and administrator, Dr. Mayberry spent the vast majority of his 36-year professional career at Mayo Clinic. He joined the Mayo staff in 1960 as a consultant in Medicine. He served as chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine from 1970-1975, and was Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Professor of Medicine at Mayo Medical School. Dr. Mayberry served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Govenors of Mayo Clinic during the years from 1976 through 1987. He led Mayo Clinic through a period marked by significant growth: spearheading the establishment of Mayo Clinic sites in Florida and Arizona; integrating Mayo Clinic with Saint Marys and Rochester Methodist hospitals; and expanding development activities to support Mayo Clinics mission in clinical practice, education and research. Dr. Mayberrys warm personality and kind demeanor made him a highly approachable, well-liked and respected leader. During his career, Dr. Mayberry was a member of several medical and administrative professional associations, and served on many civic boards, including the Minnesota Mutual Life Insurance Company, the George A. Hormel Company, Northwestern Bell, the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, the University of Minnesota School of Management, the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Governors Partnership on the Economic Future of Minnesota and the honor of a named, endowed Chair of Excellence, College of Business Administration at Tennessee Technological University. He retired on June 30, 1992, continued Development efforts on behalf of Mayo Clinic and enjoyed his retirement in Naples, Florida. Dr. Mayberry moved to Charter House in 2007 and enjoyed his final years there. Dr. Mayberry is survived by his daughter, Ann Mayberry, of Chicago; his son, Paul Mayberry, of Atlanta; and six grandchildren John, Katherine, Samuel, Caroline, Andrea and William. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, and his brother, Thomas. Please join the family for a memorial service honoring Dr. Mayberry at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 23, Saint Marys Chapel, 1216 2nd St SW, Rochester. Arrangements are with Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester, MN 55901 www.ranfranzandvinefh.com