Emanuel C. Beyer, MD

Aug. 20, 1937-Oct. 10, 2004

BENKELMAN -- Emanuel C. Beyer, M.D., died Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was 67.

He was born Aug. 20, 1937, in Highland Park, Mich., to Charles and Irene (Richer) Beyer and attended Gesu Elementary School in Detroit. He was a graduate of the University of Detroit High School and went on to attend Perdue University on a Fellowship. For a short time, Emanuel taught genetics at Mary's Girls College prior to entering med school. He graduated from Wayne State College with his degree in medicine in 1967.

During the Vietnam War, Dr. Beyer was called to serve the National Institute of Health, in Maryland where he worked in the genetics research department at Johns Hopkins. He entered private practice in South Hill, Va., for several years before moving to McCook where he practiced medicine from 1978 to 1995. In 1995 he moved to Benkelman where he continued his life-long devotion of practicing medicine in the Benkelman and Stratton areas.

On May 22, 1999, he was united in marriage to Kathy L. Ely and together they enjoyed life to its fullest. Doc, as he was often called, loved his practice and had many special patients who also became close friends. He delivered countless babies throughout the area and placed the well-being of his patients above his own.

Dr. Beyer was the recipient of the 2004 Outstanding Rural Healthcare Practitioner award bestowed upon him by the Nebraska Rural Health Association.

Anyone who knew Doc knew of his passion for duck hunting. It was clear to see that Fall was his favorite time of year. He looked forward to spending time in the duck blind with his friends on the lake. He was an active member of Ducks Unlimited for many years and served as President of the McCook Chapter. Doc was also an avid stamp collector and grew beautiful orchids. He and Kathy enjoyed traveling and taking trips to Mexico and throughout the United States. He was always ready to get away from it all, yet always ready to come home and resume the duties of being a caregiver.

Dr. Beyer devoted his life to medicine. He helped countless patients recover from injury and illness, yet nothing could prepare him for the challenges he faced in recent years. Due to a chronic heart condition, Dr. Beyer received a mechanical heart that provided him with the ability to continue working in his practice until a new heart could be found. In 2003, he was the recipient of a successful heart transplant, and it was only a matter of a few weeks before he was found back at his office caring for his patients. He was a man of medicine, a man of science and a reliable man who genuinely cared for the well being of others. He will be deeply missed by not only his family and friends, but by his colleagues and an entire community.

His parents, Charles and Irene Beyer precede him in death.

Survivors including his loving wife, Kathy Beyer of Benkelman; children, Jon Beyer and wife, Shelley and their son, Nicholas of Portland, Ore., Brian Beyer of Superior, Colo., Faith Hansen and husband, Matthew of Lincoln, Jill Powell of Baton Rouge, La., Josh Beideck and wife, Lisa of McCook and Ashley Beideck of Lincoln; sister, Blanche Thompson of Knoxville, Tenn.; good friend and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wayne and LaVerna of McCook; brother-in-law, Mark Ely and wife, Christy of Gainesville, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dr. Beyer will lie in state for public visitation on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in his name to Dundy County Hospital, P.O. Box 626, Benkelman, NE 69021.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.