Louis Vaughn, M.D., Dies at 99

Friday, January 09, 2009

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Louis Vaughn, M.D., who shared a tent during World War II with Charles W. (Chuck) Mayo, son of Mayo Clinic co-founder Charles H. Mayo, M.D., died Jan. 6 at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester. He was 99.

Both physicians were staff members at Mayo Clinic when the war began. After the war, they returned to Mayo and were colleagues until Dr. Mayo died in 1968. When he retired in 1978, Dr. Vaughn was a senior consultant in the Division of Infectious Diseases and a revered Mayo physician. At his death, Dr. Vaughn was a member of Mayo's emeritus staff.

Dr. Vaughn served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1942 to 1945 with Dr. Mayo and 65 other doctors and 75 nurses from Mayo Clinic, known as the "Mayo Unit." Both were stationed together at the 233rd Station Hospital and Stark General Hospital in Charleston, S.C., for training before they were sent to New Guinea and the Philippines in the South Pacific. While overseas, Dr. Vaughn experienced the generosity of Dr. Mayo, who gave up his seat on a plane back to the United States so that Dr. Vaughn could travel instead to be with his wife, who lay comatose in a California hospital.

In his autobiography, Dr. Mayo wrote: "Late in September, I got news that I was about to be sent home by plane. Just as I was made sure of it, a friend of mine, Louis Vaughn, got word that his wife had been in an automobile accident and was in serious condition. His need was more pressing, so I switched priorities with him and got away, finally, a week later, by boat."

Upon retiring from a 38-year career at Mayo, Dr. Vaughn was praised for being a patient's doctor and model physician who had a gentle sense of humor and for his perceptiveness, warmth, modesty and general concern for all people. Colleagues noted the inspiration they derived from his ceaseless pursuit of knowledge, his insights into the broad field of medicine and his generous contributions of time and energy.

Joann Nesbit, a retired Mayo employee who worked with Dr. Vaughn for many years, remembers him as "the nicest, most polite, smartest doctor."

Dr. Vaughn received his medical degree in 1934 from Northwestern University in Chicago. He interned at Ancker Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., before completing a residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, now Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education. His graduate work focused on general medical and surgical diagnosis, neurologic diagnosis, biochemical research and clinical and surgical pathology.

At Mayo, Dr. Vaughn was appointed a first assistant in medicine on April 1, 1938. He was named to the Mayo Clinic staff in 1940 and was designated an instructor in medicine in 1941. That year, Dr. Vaughn received a Master of Science in Medicine degree from the University of Minnesota. His service in the Army Medical Corps was from 1942 to 1945, and he was discharged with the rank of major.

In 1943, Dr. Vaughn earned certification as a specialist in Internal Medicine from the American Board of Internal Medicine and became a fellow of the American College of Physicians. From 1953 to 1961, Dr. Vaughn was head of a section of medicine at Mayo. In 1968, he was named a senior consultant.

Dr. Vaughn was a member of The Doctors Mayo Society, an organization which recognizes philanthropic leaders among Mayo alumni and provides a way for alumni to stay connected to Mayo's accomplishments and purposes. He was also a member of The Plummer Society, which promotes the continuation and diffusion of knowledge in the art and science of internal medicine and medical subspecialties.

A fitting tribute comes from a former patient and friend, National Baseball Hall of Fame member Bob Feller. The former Cleveland Indians star remembers sharing dinners with Dr. Vaughn and his family. "Dr. Vaughn was a great American and a gentleman," said Feller. "The care I received at the Mayo Clinic was the best in the world and Dr. Vaughn was a great doctor."

In addition to Dr. Vaughn's numerous contributions to medicine, he and his wife, Virginia (Moon) Vaughn, had a deep love of philanthropy and travel. After his retirement, the couple lived in Manzanillo, Mexico, during the winter months. For more than 20 years, they mentored and financially supported numerous children through an entity known as Menores en Situacion Especial (MESE) - Minors in Special Situations. They also supported many local organizations, including Senior Citizens Services of Rochester, the Rochester Area Foundation and, for several years, Dr. Vaughn helped deliver "Meals on Wheels" to seniors in Rochester.

Dr. Vaughn was born in Phoenix on Oct. 1, 1909. His family often said that his mother "was the one who gave him all of his class." He was happily married for 69 years prior to Mrs. Vaughn's death. The couple had four sons: Scott Vaughn of Red Wing, Minn.; the late Tim Vaughn of Minneapolis; John Vaughn of McLean, Va.; and Sam Vaughn, Conifer, Colo.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service has not yet been scheduled.

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