 He held roles in numerous non-profit organizations, including a decade as the first president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.Corbally was born in South Bend, Washington on October 14, 1924 to John E. Corbally Sr., a University of Washington education professor, and Grace (née Williams) Corbally.During World War II, Corbally held the rank of lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy.