Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Practice and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, passed away on February 10, 2019 at the age of 90. He was born January 28, 1929 in Streeter, North Dakota, but lived most of his life in the Twin Cities.
Doug earned three degrees from the U of M in education and behavioral sciences. In the 1960’s, he led a series of studies of teaching programs in medical colleges in the area of rehabilitation medicine. He established work evaluation programs for persons with disabilities at the Kenny Institute, and for three years he served as the Institute’s Director of Education.
Doug provided leadership for two federal agencies, first as Director of Health Manpower Research for the National Center for Health Service Research, and later as Director of National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate. He was a member of two study panels with the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Science on the subjects of primary care and rehabilitation research.
Doug served for nine years as Director of Continuing Education at the U of M Medical School. During this time he established the Bush Clinical Fellows Program to assist mid-career rural physicians to better meet the needs of their local communities. He concluded his professional career as Professor in the U of M Department of Family Practice and Community Health.
Doug was active in various churches as a Sunday school superintendent, choir director, Sunday school teacher, and deacon. He was a talented trumpet player, avid reader, private pilot, and author of 66 publications. Douglas Fenderson is survived by his wife and best friend, Joyce; four children, Bruce (Faith), Philadelphia; Allen (Ann), Arden Hills; Susan (Mark) Hammar, Dassel; and Beth (Kurt) Borlaug, Forest Lake; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; and brother, David. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Willard and John, and grandson, Keith.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 2nd at 11 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at Salem Covenant Church, 2655 5th street NW, New Brighton, MN.
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