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Wendell G. Rayburn Sr., Ed.D, age 87, veteran U.S. Army, Korea, died in his sleep December 27, 2016 at his home in Oak Park. Dr. Rayburn was vice president, secretary-treasurer and senior associate of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in Washington, DC, from 1996-2006. In retirement, he remained a director of the AASCU Pension Center for Professional Development. Dr. Rayburn held successful presidencies at Savannah State College (1980-1988) in Savannah, Ga., and Lincoln University (1988-1996) in Jefferson City, Mo. At Savannah State College, he oversaw the implementation of the Georgia Board of Regents' mandatory desegregation plan. A former academic dean at the University of Louisville, he also held senior level positions at the University of Detroit. He served as a facilitator and faculty member of AASCU New Presidents and Experienced Presidents academies. A former science teacher and administrator for the Detroit Public Schools, he had a special understanding of teacher education and program development for minority and disadvantaged students. He was a Presidential appointee, Board of International Food and Agriculture Development (BIFAD), Board of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and chair, Missouri Council on Public Higher Education, the first to serve two consecutive terms. In 1993, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award, Wayne State University Alumni Association. He was a board member of the Rotary Club of Oak Park and River Forest and former President of the Jefferson City, MO and Savannah, GA Rotary Clubs. In Oak Park he served as a board member of the Hemmingway Foundation. He was the beloved husband of Gloria A. Rayburn; loving father of Mark (Eland Tooley) Williams, Rhonda Rayburn and Wendell G. (Terrie) Rayburn Jr.; cherished "G-pa" of Taylor, Carter and Sydney Rayburn and Nia Nau; dear brother of Lynette Payne and Charles (Martha) Rayburn; fond uncle, cousin and friend of many. Dr. Rayburn was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and mentor to many. He will be remembered as a warm, kind and loving man. Visitation Saturday, 9:30 a.m. until time of Requiem Eucharist 11 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church 924 Lake St., Oak Park. Interment Concordia Cemetery, Forest Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Rotary Foundation (Rotary.org) are appreciated. Funeral info: 708-383-3191 or drechslerbrownwilliams.com
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Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Dec. 29, 2016
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