Beyer-Machule M.D., Charles K. of Wellesley, passed away peacefully on July 9 after a brief illness. Born in Berthelsdorf, Germany on June 4, 1927 to the late Hans Robert and Charlotte (Andreas) Beyer and predeceased by his brother, Ernst Friedrich Beyer and his aunt, Elfriede Machule, who adopted him many years following his parents’ death. He is survived by Janice, his beloved wife of 38 years and relatives in Germany.
After completing his preliminary degree in Biochemistry at the University of Goettingen, Germany he received a scholarship from the Institute of International Education as a graduate student in biochemistry at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Subsequently he obtained his M.D. degree at the University of Utah College of Medicine in 1956.
Following a year of internship at the Detroit Receiving Hospital, and feeling an obligation to serve the country that allowed him to fulfill his professional dreams, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on active duty as a flight surgeon, stationed in France and Germany until 1961.
Anxious then to begin his career in Ophthalmology, he was accepted into the Residency Program at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary with financial support from the USAF, which then required four additional years of active service, becoming Chief of Ophthalmology at the USAF Hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany.
By this time Charles had developed an interest in ophthalmic plastic surgery and pursued a Postgraduate Fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, followed by the Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore. He was one of the founders of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) in 1969.
Once he began his practice in Boston, he enlisted in the Navy Reserves and after 10 years retired as Captain USN Medical Corp.
Charles never shied away from hard work, and was ambitious and anxious to succeed. He became chief of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the MEEI from 1971-1981 and Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. Teaching was also important to him. He trained 15 fellows from here and abroad, and presented many lectures throughout the world, many eponymous and prestigious. He published as author and co-author four books and 115 papers.
With international exposure he became acquainted with the Director of the Ludwig-Maximilian University Eye Clinic in Munich, Germany and was asked to establish a department of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery there. So, in 1987 he and Jan moved to Munich for 8 years, where he became Honorary Professor at the Ludwig-Maximilian University, and then they maintained a residence in Garmisch-Partenkirchen until 2015. He was also an honorary member of both the German and European Ophthalmological Societies, and also the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS).
Charles loved to ski, particularly in Zermatt where he had been 30 times. He was an avid reader of European history with an amazing recall of dates and battles. He also loved to travel and, once he retired, he and Jan traveled the world.
Burial will be private.
Donations in his name may be made to the ASOPRS Foundation, P.O. Box 916048, Longwood, FL 32791-0648.