Munsey Stephen Wheby

1930 - 2024

Munsey Stephen Wheby

November 19, 1930 - July 20, 2024

Munsey S. Wheby, MD, University of Virginia Emeritus Professor of Medicine, devoted husband, father, and noted authority on blood diseases and nutrition, died at his home in Sanford, NC, surrounded by family on July 20, 2024, at the age of 93.

Munsey was born on November 19, 1930, in Roanoke, VA, to Munsey Hannah Wheby and Rose Joseph Wheby. His family, including his two younger sisters, lived over his father's small grocery store. In his youth, Munsey was a strong student, an enthusiastic athlete, an altar boy, and a Boy Scout. He attended Roanoke Catholic High School.

He went on to Roanoke College, where he received his B.S. in Biology in 1951. While a college student, Munsey played soccer and was a member of the Blue Key honor fraternity and Kappa Alpha fraternity. His best buddies from college remained lifelong friends.

Munsey continued his education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, receiving his degree in 1955. It is at UVA where he met his true love, Jean Campbell, a nursing student, who went on to be his wife and constant companion of nearly 69 years.

After medical school graduation and their wedding, Munsey and Jean spent two years in New York, where Dr. Wheby did postdoctoral training at the Cornell University Medical Center and then briefly returned to UVA where he was a Fellow and Chief Resident in 1958.

Dr. Wheby then served six years in the U.S. Army, including stints at Walter Reed and three years in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he rose to the rank of Major and conducted hematological research. He later became a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

In 1965 Dr. Wheby joined the staff of the newly-established Rutgers University Medical School, but felt the call to return to his beloved UVA in 1966 when an associate professor of medicine position opened up. Dr. Wheby enjoyed a productive tenure at UVA where he was a Professor of Medicine from 1972 to 2008, Chair of the Department of Medicine from 1996 to 1997, and Senior Associate Dean from 2002 to 2008. Among his many UVA honors are the Class of 1973's Outstanding Teaching Award, the Andrew D. Hart Endowed Professorship in 1983, and the university's Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award in 1992. In 1999, he received the Walter Reed Distinguished Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the Medical Alumni Association Board of Directors for alumni who have excelled in their careers.

It is hard to overstate how much Charlottesville, the University, and friendships forged there meant to Munsey. When asked about his long tenure at UVA and in academic medicine, he cited the stimulating mixture of patient care, teaching and working with students and residents, opportunities for research, and being surrounded by dedicated and companionable colleagues.

In addition to his work at the University of Virginia, Dr. Wheby was active in the American College of Physicians. In 2010, he was awarded the Alfred Stengel Memorial Award for Outstanding Service by the ACP. The service award recognized his unusual loyalty and exceptional contributions to the aims and purposes of the ACP, as well as his outstanding influence in maintaining and advancing the best standards of medical education, medical practice and clinical research. His service to the ACP included terms as president of the ACP; member of the board of regents; chair of the board of governors; chair of the board of trustees of the ACP Foundation; and governor of the Virginia chapter of the ACP. He was a visiting professor in universities and hospitals throughout the world.

In 1992, Dr. Wheby was recognized as one of Roanoke College's 150 Distinguished Alumni and in 2000 was named a Roanoke College Medalist.

Munsey was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Jean, who passed away in May. He is survived by his children, Rose Hollinshead (Ralph), Munsey J. Wheby (Katherine), and Jeanie Morrow; seven grandchildren, Stephen and Henry Hollinshead; Campbell and Margaret Wheby; Will, John and Ben Morrow; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Munsey was a larger-than-life figure to his family, earning him the nickname "Unstoppable." To the delight of the grandkids, he would kick off the annual opening of the backyard pool with a perfectly executed jackknife dive. His zest for living also included playing a mean game of squash; enjoying doubles tennis into his 80's; cheering on the Wahoos through thick and thin; serenading Jean on the ukulele; growing, pickling and canning the contents of their large garden; and relishing in a character-filled poker group that spanned decades.

Although Munsey and Jean moved to North Carolina in their later years to be nearer to their children, his family fondly pictures him gazing at his Albemarle County home's expansive Blue Ridge Mountain view, smoking a cigar and enjoying an Old Fashioned while holding Jean's hand. For a man with a long list of professional accomplishments, it was in these moments where Munsey found pure contentment.

Dr. Wheby will be interred at The University of Virginia Cemetery and Columbarium.