Deming Luther "Dem" Payne MD

Deming (Dem) Luther Payne, MD, of Darien, Illinois was at peace on October 14, 2025. He was surrounded by family who loved him. Deming, born March 14, 1939, in Monticello, NY, joins his late mother Ruth, father Deming S., stepfather George Butts, stepbrother Steve Butts, siblings Pamela Lewis and Timothy Payne MD. His legacy lives on through the love of his life, Mary Fazio, his children Deming (Raphaela), Sara and Mimi, his grandchildren Lila and Jesse, brother John MD (Chrissie), stepbrother Greg (Ann) Butts, brothers-in-law Mike (Louise), Tony, Chris, Steve, Vince (Katie), Paul (Rocio) Fazio, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.

Dem grew up near the Catskills in Liberty, NY enjoying an active childhood with his siblings and pets and frequenting his Uncle Charlie's cabin on Skaneateles Lake. He earned rank of Eagle Scout and attended the Philmont Scout Ranch and National Jamboree at Valley Forge. Dem excelled in sports throughout high school as quarterback, pitcher and sprinter and even participated in the 60-yard sprint at Madison Square Garden. Dem was an outstanding starting quarterback in high school and at Hamilton College ('61). Dem was invited to try out for the Chicago Bears and Montreal Alouettes, but instead, chose to follow his father's footsteps as a fourth-generation medical doctor.

Dem went to State University of New York, Buffalo Medical School ('66) followed by his General Surgery Residency at the Medical College of Virginia ('66-68;'70-73). During his residency, he served in the Air Force for the Vietnam War as a Captain at Eglin Airforce Base and Chief Medical Officer at Nakhon Phanom AFB in Thailand ('68-'70). Shortly before deployment, he reconstructed a young girl's nose after a dog bit her face, and that case inspired him to focus on plastic and reconstructive surgery upon his return. Dem enrolled in the Plastic Surgery Training Program at the University of Rochester under the supervision of Robert McCormack MD, a nationally recognized Professor of Surgery, who was renowned for his teaching and application of surgical principles ('73-'75). Dem then joined his brothers in Hinsdale, IL where he was an Attending Surgeon at local hospitals in Hinsdale, Naperville, and Downers Grove before establishing his private practice until retirement in 2005.

While many knew Dem as a talented surgeon, he was also a very kind and loving husband and father. In 1987, Dem met his lifelong love, Mary, and they married on May 22, 1988. As a father to 3 kids, Dem brought a lot of fun, especially in outdoor activities with his kids, Boy Scouts with his son Deming, and family vacations at his favorite childhood spot at Skaneateles Lake. Dem enjoyed watching all of his kids play sports, he loved playing golf with his brothers, and spending time with his family. During his retirement, Dem dove into his artistic pursuits and was very active in local art shows with his breathtaking images of nature and portraits. While his favorite medium was watercolor painting, he explored other mediums during classes at the LaGrange Art League, McCord Gallery and Mayslake. His favorite art classes were ones with teachers who let him "do his thing" during class. Family photos inspired his artwork, and his feelings powered his artistry.

Dem will be fondly remembered as an inspiration, kind, gentle, creative, and a loving husband and father. Dem found the beauty in everything. He observed it in nature, captured it in his artwork, and made people feel beautiful with surgeries.

A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday November 9, 2025, at Katherine Legge Memorial Lodge (5901 S County Line Rd, Hinsdale, IL 60521) from 12-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the LaGrange Art League https://www.lagrangeartleague.org/ and Leave No Veteran Behind https://www.leavenoveteranbehind.org.