Robert P. May

Robert (Bob) P. May passed away in his home on Saturday, April 2nd after battling cancer for nearly two years. He is preceded in death by his father Robert F. May, his sister Mary McHugh, and brother Francis May. He is survived by his wife Marilyn (Roy) May; sons Ryan Patrick May, Charles Hagan May, Jonathan Richard Hart, Robert Patrick May Jr, and Jeffrey Michael May; his mother Dorothy (McHugh) May; and siblings Dorothy McDermott, Joe May, Joanne Fay, Donna Trickett, Debbie Lonergan and Jackie Leonard. Bob is also survived by many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. Robert Patrick May was born on May 5, 1949 in Boston, MA the eldest son of Dorothy (McHugh) and Robert F. May. He attended Brookline High School and, after graduation, joined the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Marines until he was honorably discharged in July of 1970. In 1973 May joined the fledgling company that is now known as FedEx Corporation as the companys first Station Manager at its Boston facility. He was on the job the day the company delivered its first package. While at FedEx May rose through its corporate ranks relocating to company headquarters in Memphis, TN. He eventually became the President of FedEx Business Logistics. After leaving FedEx in 1993, May was employed by a variety of companies for executive-level and board positions including Charter Communications, Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corporation. This also led to his placement on the board of HealthSouth Corporation, which lead to a major milestone of his career. While on the board of HealthSouth, May and other board members uncovered a major accounting scandal involving its founder and chief executive. The companys offices were raided by the FBI and, in an emergency meeting, the board chose May to become interim CEO and his tenure in that position is largely recognized for keeping the company out of bankruptcy. In 2003 he was asked to testify before congress on the topic of corporate governance as it pertained to HealthSouth. In that same year The Wall Street Journal named him a Corporate Director Who Made a Difference. BusinessWeek described him as one of the best managers of the year for 2004. In 2005 May was tapped by Calpine Corporation as CEO and board member to lead them through one of the largest corporate reorganizations in U.S. history. Within two years Calpine emerged from bankruptcy with a strong balance sheet on the NYSE. Since his departure from Calpine, May had served on the Advisory Board of Deutsche Bank USA. Mays professional legacy was one of employee empowerment. In his 2003 congressional testimony he detailed his efforts in eliminating barriers between senior management and rank and file employees. Bob Mays personal legacy was one of love and concern for his family and friends. He welcomed any opportunity to cook for them. He also enjoyed readingmaintaining a substantial libraryas well as golfing and tennis. His passions were boating and fishing and he was able to spend the summer of 2010 on his boat, The Nauti Girl, with his wife and family. Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 6th, from 4-8pm EST, at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 7th at 11am EST at Christ Fellowship Church (South Campus), 5312 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418. In lieu of flowers please honor the memory of Bob May by making a donation to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr Jaffer Ajani Research, PO Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210, 800-525-5841