Posted by Ed Kritzer '48 on January 28, 2003:

Mercer McConnico Doty, ? Strong in character, Joyful in spirit, A life well lived, ? was born the second son of Luther Lee and Willie McConnico Doty in Birmingham, Al. After one year at Philips High ?Monk? attended Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN, where he was president of the senior class, Honor Committee, Debating Society and YMCA. He also played football and basketball, After Webb and one year at Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn , Monk entered the service, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Luther L. Doty Jr. an infantry captain fighting in Italy at the time. Monk joined the 342d Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Sill, then received an Army appointment to West Point. Monk spent two months in the MP Detachment at West Point before entering Central Area as a new cadet. He spent his first three years in F-2 company, moving to the 2nd Regiment staff as regimental operations officer for his First Class year. He was on the Honor Committee and the ?Howitzer? staff and played handball. As a cadet in his brown boy , Monk would sit on the hall radiator and study on cold winter evenings. His skill at the guitar and his singing, particularrly during those summer evenings at Popolopen. reflected his gregarious ? let?s ? not ? get ? up ? tight? approach to life. His infectious warmth, and natural leadership ability led to his selection as a cadet captain. Following initial training at the Ground General School at Ft. Riley and basic at Ft. Benning , Monk joined the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in Germany . There he assumed command of a line platoon in C Company , followed by command of the mortar platoon in H Company and service as assistant S-3. He completed his tour commanding the 2nd Battalion Headquarters Company. His battalion commander, after 30 years of service, said Monk was ? as fine an officer as I?ve ever served with. ? Monk took a break from his German tour to marry Mary Virginia Burchet in Memphis , whom he met on a blind date arranged by classmate Phil Day. Monk rejoined the 18th with Mary Virginia in 1950. Returning stateside in 1952, he served as an assistant PMS&T at the University of California, Santa Barbara. And was promoted to captain. In November 1952, Monk and Mary Virginia?s first child, Mark, was born. Monk attended the Advanced Course at Ft. Benning and then headed to Ft. Holabird for military intelligence schooling. In 1955 , while at Holabird, their second child, Virginia ? Gina ? was born. The family moved to Germany in 1956 for Monk?s duty with the 522th MI Battalion in Berlin. He attended CGSC, followed by duty with G-3 and then became SGS, Eighth Army, Korea, in 1959-60 ,earning an Army Commendation Medal. A contemporary commented that Monk always was ? cheerful and courteous ? with a twinkle in his blue eyes and a ready laugh. Monk joined the 12th Infantry at Ft. Lewis to serve as a company commander and battle group adjutant. When he was promoted to major, he became the assistant division chief of staff, and assistant G-3, 4th Infantry Division . Monk earned his master?s degree in public and international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh before serving as a military intelligence officer in DIA, where he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Monk left that tour with the Joint Service Commendation Medal . He headed for Viet Nam in 1966 , serving initially as a personnel officer in USARV before commanding the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Division. Monk?s battalion was assigned to the Mobile Riverine Force . The 514th VC Local Force and the 261 and 263 Main Force units were his main opposition. He led his battalion in the Rach Ba Rai River battle referred to in Pimlott?s ? Viet Nam: The Decisive Battles?. For his leadership Monk earned a Silver Star, BSMv, and four AMs. One true , measure of a commander is the comments of those in combat whose lives depend on his skill and judgment . His soldiers considered Monk ? fair, just and reasonable.? Furthermore ? ?he took his responsibilities seriously and his responsibility was to his men.? Monk transitioned from Nam to the strategic plans branch of DCSLOG at the Pentagon. He was selected to attend the War College but after soul searching with his family he decided to retire and devote more time to his family. In July 1968 , Monk relocated to Raleigh, NC. and began a second career with the state. Initially he was a budget analyst and then became supervisor for Transportation, Natural Resources , and Council of State budgets. His outstanding management skills made him director of State Government Reorganization, where he reorganized 233 agencies into 17 departments. In 1971, Monk was selected as the first director of the North Carolina General Assembly?s Fiscal Research Division reviewing a $ 3.4 billion budget. In 1977, he became director of the North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research, a ?watchdog? nonprofit organization reviewing government policies. Monk?s legacy to the state endures in ? the people he mentored are now helping run the state government for the benefit of our citizens . And the values he instilled sustain the institutions he led. ? In 1978, his marriage dissolved and Monk moved to Beaufort, NC IN 1980. He volunteered with the Historical Society, taking great delight in driving their red English double decker bus during the tourist season. In 1984, Monk and Susan Box of Virginia Beach , formerly of Raleigh , married and settled in Raleigh. For the next five years Monk worked as an interagency coordinator for the North Carolina Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health .He helped establish the Right to Know Division an d was the nation?s authority on Hazard Communication Standards and Right to Know issues. Monk?s service to North Carolina was marked by his ? bedrock integrity in matters of public service. ? After his second retirement , good times were spent traveling, renovating their house in Beaufort, enjoying the beach, and canoeing; all part of the outdoor life he loved. Spending time with family and friends, volunteering as a carpenter for people with handicaps, and serving his church all added to life?s pleasures. One of his stepdaughters wrote, ? Mercer showed us what it means to live with unwavering high standards in every deliberate action, every day. In late 1998 Monk was diagnosed with lung cancer. After surgery he appeared to be on the long term mend when the cancer reoccurred . With full military honors his ashes were interred at St. Marks Episcopal Church? s Memorial Garden which he had helped build . As several classmates said Monk was a true Southern gentleman, a man of integrity and character, ? one of the kindest and gentlest men I have ever known . ? A fellow parishioner wrote : ? If we are lucky, or perhaps, better to say if we listen, God sends us men and women who remain constant in our lives. Through their good works , through their wisdom, through their simple decency we learn how life should be lived. Mercer was such a man. ? Monk is survived by his wife, Susan; two children, Mark and Virginia ? Gina ?; three stepdaughters , Wyndham, Hilary, and Stacy and eight grandchildren . His stepdaughter Courtney predeceased him in 1988. He had a deep impact on his family, setting an example by the way he lived. He will be remembered for his gentleness and generosity of spirit, his wit and ready laugh , and the twinkle in his blue eyes.

admin