Dr. Robert Mayhew
Dr. Robert James Mayhew, 97, passed away November 15, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, with Father Lauren Germann and Father Joe Korf officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.
Arrangements are with Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples.
Robert was born on September 30, 1919 to Anthony (Tony) and Ruth (Darrow) Mayhew in Wakefield, Michigan. He grew up on the Minnesota Iron Range and graduated from Hibbing High School in 1937. He worked with his father at the Mesabi Range and enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1938. Upon his graduation he was called to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1942.
On June 18, 1945 as a Lieutenant he was awarded a Purple Heart and the Silver Star for gallantry in action on the island of Okinawa. Here is a short extract of the official citation:
“By displaying leadership, Lieutenant Mayhew, without regard for his own safety, advanced upon the enemy soldiers who were well protected behind rocks and in caves. Although Lieutenant Mayhew was under constant enemy rifle and grenade fire he cleaned out numerous caves and captured many enemy soldiers.
During this action five men of this patrol were flanking the enemy when they were taken under fire crossing an open reef. They were pinned down by intense fire coming from behind rocks located immediately above the troops. Lieutenant Mayhew showed extraordinary heroism during the entire period. When one of his men was hit by enemy fire and dropped in such a position that rescue was only possible by the rescuer exposing himself to heavy fire, Lieutenant Mayhew without regard for his own safety, and although was previously wounded from grenade fragments, rushed forward to rescue the man. Upon reaching the man he found him dead. Lieutenant Mayhew carried the body back from its position to the tractor that was in the water beyond the beach. It was necessary for him to swim part of the distance.
Lieutenant Mayhew’s gallantry in action and his courageous leadership was an inspiration to all men present at the time.”
Upon his release from the army in 1946 as Captain and Tank Unit Commander, Robert enrolled in the Dental School Program at the University of Minnesota and graduated with honors in 1950. He was called back to military service for the Korean War and served out of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Robert moved his family to Staples in 1953, where he was a practicing dentist for over 30 years. He was a member of the Staples Lions Club, and served as President of the Staples School Board for 21 years. Robert loved the outdoors, was an avid fisherman and hunter. He returned to Lake Shamineau where he lived with his family during the summers. In 1984, he retired to Peoria, Arizona. “Doc Mayhew” was a story and joke teller and was known for his kindness and generosity.
He is survived by three daughters, Eileen (Will) Moore, Elizabeth Mayhew and Jane Mayhew Barnard; three sons, Chuck (Mary) Mayhew, Paul (Trish) Mayhew and Chris (Colleen) Mayhew and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Francis Mayhew; one sister, Eileen Mayhew Klauer, wife, Doris (Milnor) Mayhew and second wife, Betty (Fraser) Mayhew.
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