Dr. Albert Joseph Grobmyer III's Obituary
It is with sadness that the family of Albert Joseph Grobmyer III shares his passing on September 7, 2024, at the age of 85.
Albert was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Little Flower Elementary School and Christian Brothers High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. He was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honor society. Albert completed his training in General Surgery at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville and in the United States Public Health Service with assignments in Des Moines, Iowa and New Orleans, Louisiana. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery, and in 1969 he returned to Memphis to enter surgical practice with his father. He spent most of his career caring for patients at St. Francis Hospital. After retiring from clinical practice, Albert served as the CEO of QSource (formerly the Mid-South Foundation for Medical Care).
Albert was deeply committed to his surgical profession and the broader city of Memphis medical community. He was a fellow in the American College of Surgeons and Southeastern Surgical Congress. He served terms as President of the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Society and President of the Memphis Surgical Society. Albert maintained an active presence with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine by serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor, President of the Alumni Council, member of the Chancellor’s Roundtable and member of the Harwell Wilson Surgical Society. He was honored with the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Outstanding Alumnus Award and the Tennessee Medical Association Distinguished Service Award. In the Memphis community he was a Board Member of the Memphis and Shelby County chapter of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis Bishop’s Committee to serve the terminally ill.
Albert was an avid tennis player and tennis fan. He enjoyed watching sports -especially the University of Tennessee football team. He was lifelong learner who enjoyed the study of Greek language and was a voracious reader of non-fiction books. He loved classical music and opera. His wife, Betsy, and he enjoyed frequent visits to the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Albert believed strongly in giving back to the community as demonstrated through his numerous service activities which included: the Chairman of Distribution Committee of Dorothy Snider Foundation which supports nursing scholarships, a medical advisory board member for Midsouth Home Health and Hospice, and a member of the Library Board and Environmental Commission for the city of Collierville, Tennessee. Additionally, he was a Rotarian with the East Memphis Rotary club and took particular interest in their advocacy of the “Guys in Ties” program to promote development of students at White Station Elementary School in Memphis.
Albert’s greatest source of fulfillment was the family that Besty and he raised. He took great interest and pride in the experiences and successes of his boys, his daughters-in-law and his grandchildren.
Albert was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Elizabeth “Betsy” Turnbull Grobmyer and his parents, Albert Joseph Grobmyer Jr. and Rosa Conti Grobmyer. He is survived by his brothers Robert Lawrence Grobmyer (Pam) and James Evans Grobmyer (Debbie); his three sons Albert Joseph Grobmyer IV (Melissa), Stephen Randolph Grobmyer (Toni Anne), Andrew Legh Grobmyer (Meggin); and five grandchildren Olivia, Albert V, Elizabeth, William, and Margaret.
The family invites friends to gather for graveside services at Elmwood Cemetery 824 S. Dudley Street on Wednesday September 25. 2024 at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Albert and Elizabeth Grobmyer Endowed Scholarship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.
By Mail:
UTHSC Office of Advancement
62 South Dunlap, Suite 500
Memphis, TN 38163
Online:
giving.uthsc.edu/grobmyer
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