Carl F. Moyer, a retired orthopedic surgeon, died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 26, after a brave battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 78.
In his final hours he was surrounded by family and loved ones and the nurses, doctors and hospital staff who were his former colleagues at Elmbrook Memorial hospital.
A quiet intellect with a keen wit, Carl had a passion for gardening, bird watching and the outdoors as well as history and astronomy. He had officially retired seven years ago after several decades as a surgeon.
Carl Frederic Moyer was born on Jan. 18, 1940, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the oldest son of Carl A. Moyer, who was also a surgeon, and Alice E. Chartrand Moyer.
He attended high school at St. Louis University High School in St. Louis, graduating in 1957, and Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Michigan, graduating 1961. After college, he continued his post-graduate work at Washington University in St. Louis and then moved on to Marquette University School of Medicine in Milwaukee, where he graduated with a medical degree in 1966 and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society.
He served his country in Vietnam as an Army captain and member of the Medical Corps from 1967 to 1969.
He was a medical resident at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, where he was a J. Albert Key Memorial Fellow, and later moved back to Milwaukee to take up private practice. He served with distinction on the faculties of several hospitals, including St. Mary's, St. Joseph's and Elmbrook Memorial. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.
Carl is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia A. Frankow Moyer, four children and their spouses, Carl and Susan Moyer, Elizabeth and Kevin McLean, John and Mallory Moyer and Catherine Moyer. He also had five grandchildren, Sophie, Caitlin, Haley, Zoe and Luke, and another expected this spring. And he leaves behind a sister, Lisa Moyer Redmond. He was the brother-in-law, uncle and cousin to many others. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Eric Moyer.
A wake will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3, at St. Mary's of the Visitation Church in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Elmbrook Memorial Foundation.
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