Charles L. MOORE

1925 - 2017

MOORE, Charles L.
Charles L. Moore MD sailed into the great unknown after nearly 92 years of thoughtfully charting a course of adventure, intrigue and achievement. Born in 1925 to a silent film actress and architect in New York City, he witnessed his parents feeding the hungry at their back door during the darkness of the Depression. As a child he overcame polio through the brilliance of watercolors, and remained loyal to the art form throughout his life. His future as a seaman was permanently etched when his Uncle Alec took young Charles, age 7, to get an anchor tattooed on his arm. So began his legacy of turning a terrible situation into his next great adventure. As a Merchant Marine in World War II, he survived 4 years at sea, which carved his path to becoming a surgeon. On breaks from medical school, he sailed a charter boat out of Boynton Inlet as Capt. Buddy Moore. Trusting he had found paradise, he established his General and Thoracic Surgery practice in Lake Worth in 1961. During his 39 years in practice he was instrumental in establishing the first ICU in Florida, initiated the first comprehensive course for first responders - a model for our current EMT program, made early advancements in breast cancer treatment as well as serving as the Lake Worth High School team physician for several years. Chuck Moore could make the best of friends in the worst of situations. Inspired to serve his country yet again, Dr. Moore volunteered as a combat surgeon in the 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam. He received two Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star among many other accolades during his career. In spite of the conflict, he credited his service in Vietnam as the defining era in his life, forever loyal to his war time companions - Semper Fi. He returned highly decorated from Vietnam but not without some sacrifices. Dr. Moore set course with full sails to recuperate, rebuild and inspire. He went on to serve as the Chief of Surgery, Chairman of the Board and on two occasions the acting CEO of JFK Medical Center. Once again, turning a fraught situation into a matter of great achievement. When he retired in 1990, Dr. Moore likened his transition to, "I feel like my hands have been cut off." In time he found ways to serve his family, friends and colleagues in dogged pursuit of ground breaking medical advancement. He always had a sympathetic ear for anyone with his home phone number. Dr. Moore's genetic disposition for service to others, artistic delight, penchant for sports, affection for animals and need for the sea has been passed down to his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Either they are caring for patients, painting, drawing, kicking a ball, playing with their dogs or out on the ocean. From his first dog Monty to Claymore, Daisy, Mac and Sissy, Dr. Moore kept their memories dear and their ashes are going with him. His last harrowing situation came abruptly on Easter Sunday. Cross about riding in the ambulance he helped design and intent not to burden the staff in the ICU he helped build, Dr. Moore was discharged to his waterfront home on Emory Lane. He shared his last hours with a few of his closest friends, long time partner, both daughters, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, five grandchildren and several bottles of rum. After one last ration of rum, he sailed peacefully to his next port of call. The family asks that you remember Dr. Moore in the way you knew him best - as Chuck, Doc, Capt. Buddy Moore, Sir, Colonel, Daaad or Gramps and share his stories so that he may voyage on with fairwinds and following seas. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation or the Caridad Center of Palm Beach County. Services will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, Public Visitation 1:30PM and Farewell Service at 2:00PM.
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