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Dr. James William Doyle
Dr. James William Doyle
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James Doyle Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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Gerald Lowrey
October 16, 2008
Dear Dr. Smith,
On February 14th I received a directory of the UF College of Medicine faculty. I flipped thru the pages reminiscing with my nurse about all the wonderful people I new at UF as a medical student and a resident. When I flipped thru the Ophthalmology dept. I commented that Bill was not listed in the dept. and wondered where he had gone. I shared several warm memories about our time together in medical school. We were in the same study group for four years. He would open his home to us for crab boils when cramming for a physiology test. He was smart, helpful, and energetic. We fished together many times and my best day of speckled trout fishing remains, one day at the mouth of the Santa Fe river with Bill. Afterward, I put the directory down and went back to my busy life.
That very evening when I got home I was eerily saddened to open a letter from the Alumni association informing me of Bill's death. I want you and his entire family to know that forever this friend will remember a very special man who made everyone's day a little brighter. In the words of a Randy Travis song "..it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go." Bill left us all better people.
Jeffrey Sorkin
October 15, 2008
I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Doyle. He helped train me in ophthalmic surgery and there is not a day in surgery that I don't think about his wise counsel. I spent time with him fishing as well. He was a great mentor and friend. Mary Fran, please be well.
Grant Heslep
October 14, 2008
I read with shock that my fellow class mate had passed. I remember him as a empathic, humorous, and insightful. He will be missed.
Grant Heslep
Floyd Burke
October 3, 2008
Dear Family of Dr. Bill Doyle. I was shocked to have learned of Bill's death today. Bill and I went to medical school together. Prior to that, he taught me cardiovascular pharmacology while I was in graduate school. He was a brilliant man, a fine physician but more importantly to me, a great friend. During medical school, we became friends and enjoyed many fishing trips together. I know that your hearts are heavy at this time and want you to know that I will be thinking about you at this most difficult time. My best, Floyd
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Robert Williams DDS
October 2, 2008
He treated me for glacoma over the years and saved my eyesight. He was truly a great man and I am privileged to have had him as my doctor and considered him also as a friend.
Lisa,Dave,Amanda, and Megan Jenkins
October 1, 2008
My days at work are just not the same. Dr. Doyle added so much laughter to my life, from swapping jokes to stupid movies passed between us. He gave me this amazing opportunity to become a part of his life in and out of work, he was great with my girls and always took an interest in my personal life as well as my work at Shands. He will be missed so very much by myself and my family. Fran you have my deepest sympathy along with a shoulder during this very difficult time.
Mark Werner
September 30, 2008
Dr. Doyle was a great man, physician, teacher, and mentor to me and my fellow residents. He had a profound impact on me, inspiring me and supporting me way beyond the call of duty in my career. He dedicated himself to training ophthalmologists, and helped produce many top quality clinicians and surgeons. He was an innovator in the field of glaucoma and had a passion for his work. He had a great sense of humor and bedside manner. I will never forget his generosity and spirit, and his teachings will continue to guide me throughout my career. Dr. Doyle will be sorely missed. Fran, I am so sorry about your loss.
Judi Whelan
September 30, 2008
Our lives were better having spent time with Bill. When he and Fran would come to Virginia for Christmas, Bill always wore his UVa shirt and carved the turkey as only he could. He loved life....he couldn't talk about anything without getting a twinkle in his eye...whether it was UVa football or Gator football, BBQ from Petersburg (Va). We love you Mary Fran and Aunt Jackie; You're in our prayers. Love to all. Willard Smith and Tish
Sabrina Barber
September 29, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Leigh DeTato
September 28, 2008
I am one of Bill's cousins. I will never forget his loving passion for his profession. After leaving my beloved field of music therapy and searching for another way to help people, Bill was very encouraging to me. I worked in the field of ophthalmology for 3 1/2 years as assistant. The work was very interesting, but I wish I could have experienced it working with Bill. May he rest in peace, and may all who knew and loved him be blessed.
Lisa Ellis
September 27, 2008
With a twinkle in his eyes & a smile on his face, his sense of humor will always stay with us. Wonderful physician and a wonderful friend, a difficult place to fill in all of our lives. Dear Fran, our prayers & love goes out to you always for the loss of your best friend & soul mate.
In our prayers,
Lisa Ellis & Weston McDonell
Dorothy Arrington
September 27, 2008
Dr. Doyle was my doctor, friend, and "buddy." How blessed I was to have known him and Dr. Smith. My prayers reach out to his wife and mother.
Mark Kennedy
September 27, 2008
I am a better person for having known Bill Doyle. Dr. Doyle was the consummate teacher and professional. He taught so many of us how to care for our patients clinically and personally. He shaped and influenced so many lives. Not just those he taught but those that they in turn cared for. This is a tremendous loss. My thoughts are with Mary Fran.
Sandhya Iyer
September 26, 2008
Dr. Bill Doyle will be remembered as great phaco teacher. My husband, Arvind and I trained under him at the Department of Ophthalmology. He had a joke for every occasion and put a smile on every face. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Mary Fran Smith. We shall cherish our memories of Dr. Doyle forever.
Sharon Foreman
September 26, 2008
I'am very sadden about the death of Dr.Doyle.I'm really going to miss him
he always had a joke or two to share with me whenever he came in the eye clinic,along with a hug and a smile.I will always cherish these memories.
Dr.Smith,
Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning.
Evangelist Sharon Foreman
Barbara & Bill Satterwhite
September 26, 2008
Our hearts are saddened for your loss but we hold many wonderful memories of the times we spend on the Potomac hunting for sharks teeth,arrowheads, fishing, and eating crabs. Many times Bill was not at the "Rivah" with us as he was at UVA and when Ruth would find a large sharks tooth she would always comment that Bill would love this one and she would save it for Christmas to surprise him. What fun we always had!!
Glenda and Mike Corsaro
September 26, 2008
Dr. Doyle was our mother's eye doctor for years and was so good to her. She really loved him a lot. We all are so appreciative of his superb care of her. We are all saddened by this loss and want Mary Fran to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda Guenther
September 26, 2008
Dr. Doyle will be missed by all. He was a fine physician and a gentleman. He always had a joke and a smile for everyone he met. May you rest in peace Bill. My most sincere sympathies to Fran. I know you have many happy memories of Bill. Keep them close to your heart and smile each time you think of him.
Mabel Wilson
September 26, 2008
I've been Bill's secretary for many years and have thoroughly enjoyed my association with him. He is truly one of a kind and I will always have a special place in my heart for him. Rest in peace and suffer no more.
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