Neonatologist, loving husband & father, proud & doting grandfather, and collector of all things – a renaissance man
Dr. Charles Ronald Bauer
May 16, 1943 - June 15, 2021
Growing up in New York City, Dr. Charles Ronald Bauer was a diligent student even before entering the field of medicine. More ambitious than ever, he set his sights on becoming a neonatologist, completing his Neonatology Fellowship at the Montreal Children’s Hospital in Montreal, Canada. Following his successful completion he established the Neonatal Follow-up Program at the University of Miami Mailman Center. Bauer was a champion and advocate for early intervention in at risk infants – pioneering one of the first neonatal follow-up programs in the country.
Charles later brought his passion to the position of Co-Director of the Miami Neonatology Conference – mentoring more than a thousand bright minds each year who continue to carry on his teachings.
Beyond all his stellar contributions to neonatology, Charles was a lover of creativity and celebrated all forms of art. He had a special affinity for Broadway, seeing shows in New York City as a resident and, later in life, as a visitor. One of his daughters recalls that he would take her to visit New York City each year for her birthday, and by her teens she had seen – just to name a few – Peter Pan, A Chorus Line, Miss Saigon, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Hair, and Rent.
An impressive autograph collection of more than 6,500 signatures
Along with his devotion to the theatrical arts, Bauer was a collector of a myriad of things – including autographs. As a resident living close to The Actor’s Studio in New York City, Bauer’s autograph opportunities flourished as he crossed paths with budding performers. Dressed to the nines in a tuxedo, he was able to sneak into many events, galas, hotels, and shows, seeking out stars – his wife recalls that during one of these events, he danced with Sophia Loren.
His appetite for autograph collecting continued while visiting California – home to Hollywood. With a map in hand, he knew the best places to find those celebrity autographs he was missing. From the 1960s onwards, he cultivated an impressive autograph collection of more than 6,500 signatures ranging from Hollywood’s brightest stars to the world’s elite.
“He was known to be able to spot someone famous from a mile away even when no one else could see them,” according to his wife Rita Bauer.
Dr. Bauer’s legacy – as both a medical pioneer and a connoisseur of the arts – continues to be honored through his family, the at-risk infants he’s saved, and the professionals who carry out his teachings to this day.
