Fraley, Elwin Eugene Fraley, M.D.

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Fraley, Elwin Eugene MD age 80, of Eden Prairie passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 31. Born May 3, 1934 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Exeter Academy and cum laude from both Princeton University and Harvard Medical School. He trained in Urology at Massachusetts General Hospital under Dr. Wyland Leadbetter, after which he served as a non-commissioned Lieutenant Comman-der in the United States Navy as a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institute of Health. During this time he developed one of the first human tumor and serum banks in the world. In his early 30's, never previously having had any experience in a large academic surgical department, Dr. Fraley was offered, and took on the most challenging position of Professor and Chairman of the Division of Urology at the University of Minnesota. During his tenure, he not only developed this into a world class department but in addition trained, stimulated and encouraged numerous young urological surgeons, who went on, in their own right to become luminaries in the field. The intense esprit and collaboration he initiated with his trainees, staff and other departments, led to the development of the world-changing, minimally invasive surgery field of Endourology - a term in fact coined by Dr. Fraley. This has revolutionized the field and seen the world adopt all sorts of minimal invasive techniques, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. In addition he developed a serum bank and urologic tumor bank which propelled the use of PSA for prostate cancer care and numerous other innovative surgical procedures. During his high school years he was an accomplished athlete and an Eagle Scout and with one of his best friends, Bill Fitzgerald, attended the 7th World Jamboree in Europe. He was an avid golfer whose love of the game he shared with his sons. In his retirement, Elwin pursued his love of History by creating The History Buff to acquire, preserve, and sell historical documents, autographs and artifacts. He is survived by his loving wife Jeanne to whom he was happily married for 59 years, children George (Barbara), Bill, Elwin (Julie), Karen, Christopher (Beth), Andrew (Michelle) and 13 wonderful grandchildren, George, Carl, Will, Emily, Katharine, Sarah, Jane, Nick, Ben, Jack, Michael, Charlie and Eliza. He was a beloved husband and father, surgeon, author and patriot. He deeply loved his family and his country. Our family thanks Dr. Victor Corbett, his staff and the staff at United Hospital for their compassionate care. A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Wednesday, August 20 at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Road in Edina. There will be a reception at Interlachen Country Club immediately following the service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the University of Minnesota Foundation, Dr. Elwin Fraley Urology Lectureship, Fund 11908, 200 Oak Street SE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55455 or The Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.

Published on August 10, 2014