In memoriam: Faculty member Charles R. Bauer, M.D.

Charles R. Bauer, M.D.

Charles R. Bauer, M.D., professor and longtime faculty member in the Department of Emergency Medicine, died June 4 in San Antonio. He was 83.

Dr. Bauer came to the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1982 after a career in the U.S. Air Force. He was instrumental in the development of the emergency medicine program at the Health Science Center and University Health System.

“He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will last for many years,” said Bruce D. Adams, M.D., FACEP, professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine.

“From the beginning of his medical career, through decades of military service and up to just a few weeks ago when he was still teaching students and residents, Dr. Bauer remained always the ultimate example of how to serve as a physician, an educator, a mentor and a gentleman,” Dr. Adams added.

Dr. Bauer originally joined the Health Science Center in the surgery faculty as a general and trauma surgeon and as the assistant dean for ambulatory and emergency services. He was board certified in both surgery and emergency medicine.

He served as the first chief of emergency medicine at UT Health and as medical director of the emergency department at University Health System. He laid the foundation for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Bauer was involved in many other initiatives in South Texas. He developed the South Texas Poison Center located at the Health Science Center and was instrumental in the establishment of the Texas Poison Center Network. In 1993, he was the founding chair of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council.

Charles R. Bauer, M.D., addressing the Texas State Guard Medical Brigade In November 2016.

In 2016 he retired as a colonel in the Texas State Guard, and as the chief medical officer, Texas State Guard Medical Brigade. The state of Texas awarded him the Superior Service Award, the highest non-combat award given to a Texas military forces member. At the same time, the State Guard established the annual Charles R. Bauer Medical Symposium in his honor.

Earlier this year, the Bexar County Medical Society honored Dr. Bauer with its highest accolade, the Golden Aesculapius Award, for a “lifetime of distinguished service by a member to our patients and the medical profession.”

Dr. Bauer joined the Air Force shortly after graduating from Marquette University School of Medicine in 1958. He spent three years as a flight surgeon at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. From 1967-1970 he was stationed at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan, caring for Vietnam war casualties. He retired in 1982 as a colonel with chief physician and chief flight surgeon ratings and was awarded the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters.

Rosary for Dr. Bauer will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 15, at Porter Loring Funeral Home, 1101 McCullough in San Antonio.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m., June 16, at Porter Loring Main Chapel, with burial to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established at UT Health in honor of Dr. Bauer. Click here for more information or to contribute.



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