End of an Era

In 1938, Dr. Will sold the boat. He and Hattie gave the proceeds to the Mayo Clinic social service fund to help pay for the care of patients with financial need. That autumn, they also gave their home to Mayo Foundation as a meeting place "for the good of mankind."

Dr. Will ABOARD THE NORTH STAR

These decisions were part of the orderly transition that Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie had begun several years before. Their goal was to ensure that the institution would continue to thrive long after the lifetimes of its founders.

Elizabeth Dahlgren, one of the North Star crew members, wrote:

“Dr. William James Mayo died July 28, 1939, shortly after his 78th birthday. Our grief could not be expressed. Capt. Jim asked me to go with him to the funeral, but I could not do it. I wanted only living memories. I wanted to remember Dr. Will walking the decks of the North Star.”

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