Dr. Douglas Rayner, a now retired obstetrician, grew up in Pawcatuck, sang in the Christ Church Choir, and was close friends with an up and coming musician named George Kent. After high school, Doug Rayner, headed to the University of Connecticut and medical school soon followed. After a dedicated tenure of service with the United States Air Force that brought him, Jean, and his young family all around the country, Dr. Rayner eventually returned home to the Westerly/Pawcatuck area where he and several colleagues entered private practice. As one of the few OBs in Westerly, Dr. Rayner was there for the birth for so many area residents and was beloved by his patients.

 

Upon his return to the area, Dr. Rayner fully integrated himself into his community through volunteer service in all forms helping many organizations, but none more so than the Chorus of Westerly and the Westerly Rotary Club. One of the Rotary Club's principal mottos, Service Above Self, has been something Doug has always embraced fully in everything he does and how he operates in life. Giving back to others, helping others, and building community are cornerstones of Doug Rayner. And both he and Jean have constantly been there to help those who need it in our community time and time again.

With the Chorus of Westerly, beyond his Summer Pops chairmanship, Dr. Rayner has held nearly every other volunteer role imaginable with the organization. He has never been a singer, but Dr. Rayner has been a past president of the Chorus, a frequent board member or advisor, finance, building,  and other committee member, special projects consultant, and even helped as a Peasants' Feast caterer. Jean Rayner was often right alongside him, helping to orchestrate fundraisers, dinners, or coordinate volunteers, as well as serving for a time as the Chorus's box office manager.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Dr. Rayner chaired the Chorus of Westerly's first major capital campaign to allow for the first phase of renovation and major expansion of what is now the George Kent Performance Hall. Advised at first by outside consultants that raising the millions needed for such a campaign was impossible, the Chorus decided to engage it anyway, and tasked Dr. Rayner with making the dream a reality. Dr. Rayner succeeded and, today, the hall stands proudly as it does thanks in no small part to the tireless work of Dr. Rayner in his role as chairman.

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While Dr. Rayner's official leadership tenure as Pops chairman will conclude this June, he will shift into an emeritus role and hopefully be able to help out on smaller projects as needed at future Pops concerts.