Donald Frederick Dohn

Celebrating the Life of Neurosurgery’s Legend, Donald F. Dohn, M.D.

There are neurosurgeons who make a mark — and then there’s Dr. Donald F. Dohn. On August 16, 2026, Don celebrated his 101st birthday. It was an occasion for not just lighting candles —but also celebrating a legacy that shaped the very foundation of modern neurosurgery.

Don died on September 1, 2026.

From his early days in Buffalo, New York to the hallowed halls of the Cleveland Clinic, Don’s story is the stuff of legend. After earning his medical degree from the University of Buffalo, he trained under giants like Dr. Walter Hamby and Dr. W. James Gardner, Jr., becoming a force of nature in his own right. He didn’t just train neurosurgeons — he built neurosurgical training. Over 45 neurosurgeons and fellows passed through his tutelage as he helped formalize the educational structure of neurosurgical residency, moving it beyond the traditional apprenticeship model.

And then there was his leadership. Don Dohn was one of the very few neurosurgeons in history to have served as president of both the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (1971) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (1975). That’s not just impressive — it’s nearly unheard of. His colleagues recognized early on that Don brought more than skill to the table; he brought wisdom, character and a deep belief in the power of organized neurosurgery to improve care through shared ideas and collective progress.

Even after “retirement,” Don wasn’t one to sit still. He left the Cleveland Clinic in 1981 for private practice in Pascagoula, Mississippi, only to be called back to launch the neurosurgical program at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Fort Lauderdale. Tireless. Committed. Relentless in his service to others.

Don happily retired in Fairhope, Alabama with his beloved wife, Carolyn. He spent his years flying planes, sailing the Gulf, traveling, and enjoying his ever-growing family. In Fairhope he played a key role in the development of the Eastern Shore Trail and was an avid supporter of Rails-to-Trails.

Don had three married children: Deborah Roffe (Kirby), Douglas (Connie) and David (Linda Gillam), nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was being surrounded by all of his family. He imparted to all of them a love of the mountains generated by his parents, Carlton and Gertrude, during the family’s summer-long adventures in Alleghany State Park.

The family gives their sincere gratitude to Roberta Simpson, Karen Madeja, and Lucia Ortutova as well as the caregivers of ACG Hospice of Foley, Alabama and of Comfort Keepers of Daphne, Alabama for their compassionate care and support.

Special thanks to Clarence Watridge, M.D. and Ann R. Stroink, M.D. for their composition and editing of this essay.

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