Dr. Charles Frederick Bahn

Dr. Charles “Charlie” Bahn of McCordsville, IN, passed away on April 23, 2019, at the age of 92.  The youngest of 3 children of William C. and Louise B. Bahn, he grew up in Cape Girardeau, MO. Preceding him in death were his parents, both siblings (Dr. G. Eugene Bahn and Louis W. Bahn) and his first and second wives [Betty B. (Morrow) Bahn, and Loeta J. (McMackin) Bahn].

He is survived by his children: Martel L. (Robert) Plummer of McCordsville, IN; Charles F. Bahn, Jr, of Aurora, MO; Christopher F (Geri) Bahn of Louden County, TN; R. Stuart Bahn (Amy) of Hendersonville, TN; and Stephen A. (Yvette) Bahn of Cleveland, TN; as well as eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren., two step-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren.

Charlie will be remembered for his ready supply of jokes, sense of adventure, enjoyment of the outdoors, love of family, and his commitment to the medical profession and his patients. Likewise, many will recall his active involvement with both his and the neighborhood children via games, hikes, workshop projects, camping, scouting and sailing, as well as his highly-imaginative story-telling prowess. He loved photography and was a fine musician, playing both clarinet and saxophone at school and in a high school dance-band.

Charlie graduated with a BS in Medicine from Missouri U in 1949, then from Washington U Medical School in 1952. On December 27, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Morrow. After completing a fellowship at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, LA, he joined the U.S. Air Force via the Physician Draft and the couple and their young daughter moved to Okinawa where he served two years at Kadena Air Base. Upon discharge he completed a dual post-graduate training program at Ochsner in Internal Medicine, as well as their very first Gastroenterology class.

In 1956, they moved home to Cape Girardeau, MO, where he opened his initial medical practice, later forming Cape Internal Medicine Group in 1959, then Gastroenterology Specialists during his final few years in medicine. His foremost specialties included early work with the Gastroscope, then pioneering work with the fiber-optic colonoscopy procedure in the 1970s. In the mid-1970s, he and several medical peers laid the groundwork, and initiated the purchase of land, for the Cape Girardeau Doctors’ Park medical campus.

After the death of his wife, he married Loeta J. McMackin in 1976. They remained in Cape Girardeau until his retirement in 1988, at which time they moved to Prescott, AZ. He and his wife quickly grew to love the beauty of the Southwest and exploring Native American history and culture. They could often be found camping throughout the West, driving back roads, and exploring ancient ruins of the Native Americans.

During the next 15 years, he continued doing a labor-of-love, working in several medical-related jobs in AZ. Charlie was a devout Christian and active in the Prescott First Baptist Church and Sunday School classes. He was a lifelong member of Rotary International. He learned the art of wood-turning on his lathe and crafted beautiful wooden bowls, many inlaid with turquoise and precious stones. Over his lifetime, Charlie enjoyed collecting and restoring antique cars, one of which won a national competition, including Model-T’s, Model-A’s, Rolls Royces and a Packard. He also actively participated in two medical missions in Ghana, Africa.

After the death of his second wife in 2016, he moved to Indiana to be nearer his children.

A memorial service is being held on April 26th at his home, Traditions at Brookside, McCordsville, IN, for residents there. In addition, a memorial service and visitation / celebration-of-life with family and friends will take place in Prescott, AZ, at Solid Rock Church, at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 01st. Then, a visitation and celebration-of-life will be held in Cape Girardeau at a later time, with a private graveside gathering of family followed by burial in Cape alongside his beloved wives.

In lieu of flowers, Charlie’s wish was for any memorial contributions be made to one of the organizations he was so fond of, including:

I.) Ochsner Hospital Foundation – Via Ochnsner Clinic Foundation, Attn: Gastroenterology Dept, 1514 Jefferson Highway, BH 607, New Orleans, LA, 70121.

II.) Heifer International – https://www.heifer.org/campaign/end-hunger-poverty-donation.html

III.) American Red Cross – Via PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839; or https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/, adding your name, and, “in memory of Dr. Charles F Bahn”, under Donor Name.