Obituary for Douglas DeFrees Payne MD
Douglas DeFrees Payne MD, a longtime resident of Needham, MA, died peacefully at his home on January 6, 2022, following a long illness. He was born on February 13, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Elizabeth D. and William G. Payne. During his childhood Doug developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed camping, canoeing and hiking. In high school he excelled in many areas inside and outside the classroom. He graduated as the class valedictorian from Oakwood High School in 1958. A graduate of Harvard College in 1962, Doug entered Harvard Medical School where he received his MD in 1966. It was during this time that he met Geraldine Rupp (Geri), who shared his love of adventure, classical music, and the outdoors. Shortly after their wedding, Doug began his surgical residency at the Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. After completing his training in general and cardiothoracic surgery, he served in the US Army for two years as a medical officer in Seoul, South Korea and Fort Knox, Kentucky.
In 1975, Doug joined the cardiothoracic faculty at the New England Medical Center in Boston where he had a busy and rewarding clinical practice in pediatric and adult cardiac surgery. He was instrumental in initiating and building a successful and renowned heart transplantation program. As professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine, he held leadership roles as the chief of the division of cardiothoracic surgery and later as acting chairman of the department of surgery. Beyond his many clinical and leadership accomplishments, Doug’s true passion was teaching and mentoring medical students and residents. He received the Distinguished Faculty Award, and the Payne Cardiothoracic Library was established in recognition of his devotion to training the next generation of surgeons.
Following his retirement in 2012 Doug continued to cultivate his love of nature and the outdoors. He spent many memorable summer vacations hiking and building trails at his beloved island retreat in Temagami, Ontario. In the winter months Doug and Geri embarked on birdwatching and botanical trips to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Guyana, and particularly Belize. Doug also became active in the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University where he was actively involved in the education of the graduate students. He was elected to the School’s Board of Advisors and especially enjoyed the student presentations at the Wildlife Clinic. Doug also served on a variety of service and volunteer committees including the Native Plant Trust, the Temagami Lakes Association, and the town of Needham. In addition, Doug continued his efforts to educate medical students and surgical residents at Tufts Medical Center.
Doug was a kind and gentle person who was loved and respected by his patients and their families as well as his colleagues, students and coworkers. He was a loyal and devoted friend and mentor to his family, his friends, and his students. His devotion and care for his patients and his lifelong commitment to medical education will continue to inspire his colleagues for many years to come. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Geri, his sister Maryann Limmer of Poland, Ohio, his nieces Valerie Cox of Pataskala, Ohio and Deanne Paul of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Doug’s name to the Wildlife Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, MA (vet.tufts.edu/giving) or to the Greater Boston Food Bank (gbfb.org)
In 1975, Doug joined the cardiothoracic faculty at the New England Medical Center in Boston where he had a busy and rewarding clinical practice in pediatric and adult cardiac surgery. He was instrumental in initiating and building a successful and renowned heart transplantation program. As professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine, he held leadership roles as the chief of the division of cardiothoracic surgery and later as acting chairman of the department of surgery. Beyond his many clinical and leadership accomplishments, Doug’s true passion was teaching and mentoring medical students and residents. He received the Distinguished Faculty Award, and the Payne Cardiothoracic Library was established in recognition of his devotion to training the next generation of surgeons.
Following his retirement in 2012 Doug continued to cultivate his love of nature and the outdoors. He spent many memorable summer vacations hiking and building trails at his beloved island retreat in Temagami, Ontario. In the winter months Doug and Geri embarked on birdwatching and botanical trips to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Guyana, and particularly Belize. Doug also became active in the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University where he was actively involved in the education of the graduate students. He was elected to the School’s Board of Advisors and especially enjoyed the student presentations at the Wildlife Clinic. Doug also served on a variety of service and volunteer committees including the Native Plant Trust, the Temagami Lakes Association, and the town of Needham. In addition, Doug continued his efforts to educate medical students and surgical residents at Tufts Medical Center.
Doug was a kind and gentle person who was loved and respected by his patients and their families as well as his colleagues, students and coworkers. He was a loyal and devoted friend and mentor to his family, his friends, and his students. His devotion and care for his patients and his lifelong commitment to medical education will continue to inspire his colleagues for many years to come. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Geri, his sister Maryann Limmer of Poland, Ohio, his nieces Valerie Cox of Pataskala, Ohio and Deanne Paul of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Doug’s name to the Wildlife Clinic at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in Grafton, MA (vet.tufts.edu/giving) or to the Greater Boston Food Bank (gbfb.org)