Dr. Douglas R. Bey M.D. Jr.

Dr. Douglas R. Bey Jr., M.D.

NORMAL - Dr. Douglas Rudolph Bey Jr., M.D., 85, of Normal, passed away at 3:56 PM on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.

Doug was born in Maquoketa, IA, to Douglas Rudolph Bey Sr. and Dorothy Irene McCammon

He was raised in Normal, IL, where he attended University High School (inducted into Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007) where he was the first wrestler from Bloomington-Normal to go to the state tournament. He attended Cornell College on a wrestling scholarship.

Doug received his medical degree at the University of Illinois. He completed his internship and residency at the Illinois Masonic Hospital and the Menninger School of Psychiatry. In 1969, he was deployed to Vietnam as a major, and assumed duties as the division psychiatrist for the 1st Infantry Division.

He was board certified in psychiatry in 1971 by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Twenty years later, he was board certified by the same board in geriatric psychiatry.

Doug established a private practice in Normal that continued for 50 years until he retired at 83.

While in private practice, he also worked as the Psychiatric Medical Director and primary psychiatric physician to patients at Sharon HealthCare, a specialized mental health rehabilitation facility. He found this to be both challenging and highly rewarding.

Doug was a pioneer in the field of Psychiatry and helped to eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness. In addition to his medical practice, he published numerous articles and books and served as a keynote speaker at medical conferences.

Throughout his life Doug helped and healed the lives of countless patients and their families. He loved his patients and had a unique ability to listen and make them feel heard.

During his medical career, Doug served on the staffs of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, BroMenn Regional Health Center, and OSF St. James Hospital in Pontiac. At BroMenn, Doug developed the inpatient psychiatric program and served as chief of the psychiatric department.

Doug was also active in the broader medical community as President of the McLean County Board of Health, McLean County Medical Society and Hospital Medical Staff. He was a consultant to Illinois State University Counseling Services for 36 years.

He served his profession well by taking on national responsibilities as a board examiner for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology from 1971-1995. For his contributions to the field of psychiatry, Doug was named a Fellow (1973), Life Fellow (2001), and Distinguished Life Fellow (2003) of the American Psychiatric Association.

Doug was an award-winning author penning several books including Wizard 6 (a book on his experience as a combat psychiatrist in Vietnam); Loving an Adult Child of an Alcoholic (co-written with his wife, Debbie); and Loving a Depressed Man (2010 Self Help Book of the Year).

Those who knew Doug would describe him as a man who loved to make people laugh through his quick wit, unique sense of humor and his endless repository of jokes - many of which his mother would not approve of. Doug was also an amazing storyteller, with an arsenal of tales based on his incredible life experiences, both professionally and personally. He also enjoyed sharing his love of books, movies, and the latest comedian he was watching with family, friends, and his amazing caregivers from Synergy Home Services.

Throughout his life, Doug showed a constant generosity of giving. He enjoyed finding the most perfect, original or lavish gift for his loved ones. Additionally, he would also offer any resource he had to help anyone who was in need. Doug was also charitable with his time; offering support, advice, and kindness to people he cared deeply for.

Everyone who knew Doug also knew he had a passion for food… he loved talking about it, cooking it, dreaming about it, but mostly he loved eating it! Among his favorites were goulash, potato salad, and Debbie's homemade noodles. The only thing he wouldn't eat was cottage cheese.

Although Doug was humble, he loved a few of the "finer things," such as a great dining experience, a perfectly tailored ensemble, and a cold martini (with plenty of olives). He also loved to travel… but not drive. He enjoyed the beach vacations with kids, grandkids, and other family members in South Carolina and Florida. He especially loved the time he spent with Debbie and their Yorkies at "their" beachfront cottage in Longboat Key.

Despite the physical challenges in the later years of his life, Doug stayed positive and often commented on how much he loved his life. His faith carried him through, as he was often heard saying "Thy Will be Done." Doug lived life on his terms. In the last moments of his life he requested a martini, told the nurses his infamous "Rose Petal" joke, and said his goodbyes. Doug Bey was one lucky cat!

He married Deborah Lynn Yockey on February 2, 1990, in Normal. She survives in addition to his children: Cathy (Dan) Ward of Garland, TX, Barbara (Bill) White of Naperville, IL, Sarah Bey of Chicago, Matthew Bey of Sarasota, FL, and Alvis Martin of Bloomington. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Keslie Ward, Audrey White, Kyle Ward, Andrew White, Rachel White; and one brother Richard (Cheryl) Bey of North Carolina. Also needing to be mentioned is his special Yorkie, Newman.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Douglas Bey, and his brother Donn Bey.

Per his request, there will be a private memorial service with military rights performed in November. Doug asked that you celebrate his life by donating to the Wounded Warrior Project or The American Heart Association.

In addition, he asked that you raise a glass in his honor (a vodka martini with plenty of olives) and share one of the thousands of jokes he told in his lifetime. To offer condolences or share a fond memory, please visit www.calvertmemorial.com.