Dr. Austin Roy Tyrer's Obituary
Austin Roy Tyrer, Jr., M.D., 92, of Memphis, passed away Monday, November 22, 2010. Dr. Tyrer was born March 30, 1918, in Lexington, KY, to Austin Roy and Marie Louise Tyrer. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI, in 1940, and his Doctor of Medicine from Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, in 1944. He served two years in the United States Army as Chief of Neurosurgery at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco, CA. Dr. Tyrer was board certified by The American Board of Neurological Surgery in 1952. Dr. Tyrer was a founding partner of the The Neurosurgical Group of Memphis, PC, and was a member of the group for over 40 years. In 1990, he entered solo-practice where he continued practicing until 2009. During his more than 60 years of work in the neurosurgical profession, he served as chief of neurosurgery for the Methodist Hospitals of Memphis and was bestowed their Living Award in 1989. As one of 22 founding members of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Dr. Tyrer served as its 13th president. He also played a significant role in the establishment of the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS). As a founding member, Dr. Tyrer served on the FIENS Board from its inception and was chairman of the board for 16 years. In Memphis, he was president of many organizations including: The Memphis Medical Society, the Board of Health, The Memphis Rotary Club, the Executives’ Club, and Junior Achievement. He was instrumental in the establishment and construction of a state institution for the mentally impaired in West Tennessee and was a life trustee of the United Way of the Mid-South. In 1990 the American Association of Neurological Surgery honored Dr. Tyrer for his numerous contributions at the international, national, state, and local levels by choosing him as the fourth recipient of their Humanitarian Award. Among the contributions this award commended were Dr. Tyrer’s active membership on the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (1967-1991), his 10 years on the AMA Council on Voluntary Health Agencies (including its chairmanship), his 6 years on the AMA Council on Medical Service (an elected position), his membership on the Advisory Committee on Volunteer Physicians in Vietnam, and his 6 years on the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped. He has been president of the Society of Medical Consultants to the Armed Forces. Dr. Tyrer also served two tours of duty on the Good Ship Hope. Dr. Tyrer was a member of Memphis Country Club. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Alice Clawson Tyrer of Memphis, TN, and his sister Eloise Doss of Fort Worth, TX. His children and their spouses are: Dr. Rob Tyrer (Sharon) of Oakland CA, Barbara Tyrer Tusing, Dr. Dean Tyrer, both of Jonesboro, AR, Cheryl Tyrer Benton (Phil) of Hot Springs, AR, John Duke (Candy), Mary Duke Ruleman (Mark), Mark Duke, Ben Duke all of Memphis, TN. Dr. Tyrer is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, 3 nephews, 5 great-nieces and great-nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 27, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue (901)767-8930 with services to follow at 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either the Church Health Center or the Methodist Healthcare Foundation. Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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