Robert Martin Boerner, M.D.
February 28, 1936 ~ May 27, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Dr. Robert M. Boerner, 73, of 400 Charlotte Street, Asheville, died Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at his home.
Dr. Boerner was born in Newark, NJ, and was a son of the late Walter and Beatrice Zahradnik Boerner. He was an Air Force veteran and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He received his medical degree in 1961, also from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Boerner was the first Infectious Disease Specialist to practice in Western North Carolina. He was instrumental in the development of the Infection Control Department at Mission/St. Joseph Hospitals.
He joined the medical staffs of Memorial Mission and St. Joseph's Hospitals in 1971, and served in numerous medical staff and hospital leadership capacities during his career including Department Chairman and Chairman of Infectious Control. In 1978 – 1979, he served as Chief of Medical Staff at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Dr. Boerner helped establish the MAHEC program and provided years of teaching to resident physicians as a UNC Clinical Professor of Medicine and held membership in the AMA, NC Medical Society, and the Buncombe County Medical Society. In 2001, the NC Society of Respiratory Care honored him as Physician of the Year. He was the founder of Asheville Consultative Medicine. In 2007, Dr. Boerner received the Founders' Day Physician Award.
A respected and dedicated professional, Dr. Boerner was greatly admired by both colleagues and patients for his kindhearted care to those suffering with life threatening illnesses. His kindness was boundless, and he was described by one physician as "one of the most caring, compassionate physicians ever", and another as "a prince among men".
Dr. Boerner retired from the Medical Staff at Mission Hospitals in 2003, following a distinguished 32-year career as a Pulmonologist and Infectious Disease specialist. He served as a member of the hospital Board Credentialing Committee.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
Dr. Boerner is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Janice Gabriel Boerner; two daughters, Elizabeth Anne Boerner and Amy Gabriel Holl, and her husband, Dr. Blair Holl; one son, Dr. R. Michael Boerner and his wife Lisa Martin Boerner; four grandchildren, Margaret Boerner, Moira Boerner, William Boerner, and Loren Holl; and two sisters, Barbara Boerner and Trilby Boerner Wallace.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Blackburn, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Michael Boerner, M.D., Ph.D., Don Gabriel, M.D., Ph.D., Blythe Gabriel, Mark Gabriel, Harry Gabriel, Fred Gabriel, Blair Holl, M.D., and Zach Hayes. Honorary pallbearers will be Denny Martin, M.D., Nat Burkhart, M.D., John Russell, M.D., Jack Smith, Bill Fowler, M.D., George Bilbrey, M.D., Phil Davis, M.D., Peter Gentling, M.D., John Steinfield, M.D. and Charlie Rowe, M.D.
The family will receive friends immediately following the interment service at the home of Dr. and Mrs. R. Michael Boerner, 44 Sunset Parkway.
Dr. Boerner's body will lie in state at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 29.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
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Sorry to hear of Dr Boerner’s passing,,he was my doctor for many years…He was there for me when I almost died in a Mobile Home Fire,he sent me to Bowman Gray hospital,,because of smoke inhaled..messing up my lungs..He was the most caring doctor I have ever known,his bed side manners were so professional .my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.I also enjoyed his poems in Citizen-Times..Cherish his memories they are forever…………
I am so sorry to hear about this sad lost. My mom worked as a nurse for Dr. Boerner for many years before he retired. I can remember going to the office and getting to talk to him, he was always so sweet and caring. Dr. Boerner was one of those people that would do anything to help someone. I know he is in a much better place now, with no pain any longer. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family. He will truly be missed.
I cared for many of Dr Boerner’s patients at St Joseph’s Hospital and they always expressed their deep respect and love for him. We will miss him dearly. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
janice, my heartfelt love and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I loved and appreciated Dr B through yrs of having worked around him and seeing him as a pt. May God be with you and help you during this time.
Dr Boerner and Family,
The Mri Department at Mission sends their heart felt sympathy for your resent loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this great time of sorrow.
Dear Mrs. Boerner, Michael, Cissy, Amy and Family,
I was so sad to hear the news about Dr. Boerner. He was a wonderful person and I will always remember his kind nature.
Keeping your families in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dr. Boerner was my mother’s doctor for many years. He saved her life on many occasions. She wouldn’t have lived as long as she did if it weren’t for Dr. Boerner’s care. He took such good care of her and was such a kind and caring man.
May God comfort and hold this family close in the coming months. This community has lost a truly gifted doctor…
Melody Clark Burleson
Mrs. Boerner and familiy,
I first Dr B when I starting working at St Joseph’S Hospital. He was truly the kindest and most sincere gentleman to everyone around him. He will be truly missed by all. Thoughts and prayers go out to each of you.
Barbara, We are so sorry for your loss and you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Your brother sounds like an amazing person. My guess is that it runs in your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Peace, Susan and Steve Martin
To the Boerner family—-I worked with Dr.Boerner through Mission’s hematology lab around 1975. What a delight he was, not only to his patients, but his kindness to all of us as employees was never forgotten. Heaven now has a special angel. May God comfort each of you during this time.
The Boerner family, I was truly sadden to hear of your great loss. I met your husband, father, grandfather, 22 years ago, at the SJH campus, he was very inspirational to me. Since his retirement, he would call for a Radiologist, or if he saw me in the hallway, he had that same smile and words of encourgement. I pray to God to give you all the strength and encourgment that you all will need to face your tomorrows.
Beverly Workman
Radiology CLerk
Mission Hospital
janice
we were saddened to hear of your husband’s passing. we enjoyed getting to know him here at the pharmacy the last few years. we are thinking of you and your family… bill, mike and the staff of nature’s pharmacy.
I knew Dr. Boerner from my employment at both Mission & St. Joseph’s Hospitals. He was always friendly and encouraging and an exemplary physician. He was my mother’s physician. My condolences to all of Dr.
Boerner’s family and many friends.
What an honor and privilege it was for me to be able to get to know and work with Dr. Boerner while I was employed at St. Joe’s in the Medical Staff Office. His compassion for his patients far exceeded those of his peers. As the pioneer of infectious Disease care in Asheville, countless citizens were fortunate to have been under his care. My thoughts and prayers are with his family of which he was so very proud of and spoke of so lovingly. He will be truly missed and the world was made so much better because of him.
To the Boerner Family:
Asheville was so honored to have such a wonderful physician as Dr.
Boerner. Not only did he contribute so much to the community but I knew him personally as my husband, Cecil McMahan has been his patient since the 1980s. He was the most kind and compassionate man. My husband was in the hospital many times. There was never a day that Dr. Boerner didn’t visit him and when he did have to take a day off, which was not often, he almost seemed to apologize for not being there.
My husband was in the hospital for major surgery, not even Dr. Boerner’s patient at the time but he still came to see him. This visit was to tell us that he was retiring. He was choked up and tearful, and so were we. We tried to tell him how much we appreciated he and Wilma’s care over the years but there are not words to express such appreciation.
Peace be with you and your family.
Judy McMahan
Medical Staff Services
My heart goes out to the family of Dr. Boerner. He was arguably the BEST pulmonary/infectious disease physician in this area. My mother (Louise Hensley) was a long-time patient of Dr. Boerner, and she loved him as much as she loved her family; he WAS part of our family. My heart is sad to know that he is no longer here with us, but I rejoice in the fact that he is whole, well and happy with the Lord (and my mama)! Thank you, Dr. Boerner, for a life well lived, a testimony that never waived, and a heart full of love and compassion for everyone you met.
Dear Mrs. B and family, I am so saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Boerner. He certainly made this world a better place and will be sorely missed by so many. I truly treasure my collection of his poetry. God be with you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Dear Family,
My mother, Louise Taylor, was a patient of Dr. Boerner for many years. He was an extended family member to us with his gentle manner and Wilma too. Three years ago Mom fractured her pelvis and while rehabilitating at Universal Health Care she was attended by Dr. Holl. He too is a compassionate, wonderful physician.
Mom passed away in December and after reading one of Dr. Boerner’s poems in the paper that week, I called and spoke to him. We watched for his poetry. May you know the peace that passes understanding and may you be comforted knowing that we will all be reunited and spend eternity together worshiping our Lord and Savior.
To Dr. Boerner’s family;
I had the priviledge of working with Dr. Boerner for many years. He was truly one of the kindest, most compassionate physicians I have ever known. My heart goes out to you for your loss. May God bless you all.
To the family of Dr. Boerner,
I want to send my sincere condolences to you in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. I was a patient of Dr. Boerner’s for many years. As a very young Mother of three sons, I contracted hepatitis. I was so frightened for my children and family. Dr. Boerner was so kind and assured me they would be fine. I have always known what a kind and caring doctor he was and his love of the Lord was evident in his care of his patients and the wonderful poetry which appeared in the paper. May the Lord be with each of you during this sad time in your lives. However, remember that he is with the Lord and his legacy will live forever.
To the family of Dr. Boerner
We were patients of Dr.Boerner until his retirement. We have never met a more kind and caring person. His concern for his patients appeared to be his top priority. Dr. Boerner will always have a special place in our hearts. May God bless each of the family and you are in our prayers. We have lost a Jewel of a Man.
God Bless
Hobart & Louise Rector
My sympathy to the Boerner family. He was a good friend and wonderful doctor to my family for years. I have missed him as I am sure you will now. May God Bless and Comfort you at this time.
I was one of Dr. Boerner’s first patients when he opened his practice in Asheville and remained one until he retired. He always joked he could depend on me for unusual diseases and problems. He was a good and honest man, a fine christian example. He is missed.
Jim Parker
To the Boerner Family,
What a wonderful physician. Such a kind hearted man.He is already missed. My prayer for you all, that God will cover you with his love and give you peace.
To the Boerner family,
Dr. Boerner was my mother’s physician until his retirement. He was a kind, gentle and compassionate man & was a truly gifted physician. He always reassured my mother when she saw him & he put all her fears at rest dealing with severe asthma & lung problems. He also took care of every one of my uncles who suffered from emphysema & helped our family throughout some difficult times in dealing with the diagnosis of emphysema. He was a blessing & a gift to all who knew him & trusted him as a physician. Thank you for sharing him with us all throughout the years. Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless & surround you with his never-ending love.
Sincerely,
The Alice Pike Hunter Family
My heartfelt condolences to the Boerner family. I will have nothing but the fondest memories of Dr. Boerner as I was growing up in Asheville. As a good friend of his son Michael, I was fortunate to be able to get to know him and his family. I can honestly say I have never met a more gracious and caring family than the Boerners. You will be in our thoughts and prayers during this trying time.
My Mother and I would like for the family of DR. Boerner to know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
He was a fine person as well as a doctor. he took very good care of my father. he will be missed.
~ Mrs. Wayne Banks
~ Mary Banks
My heart goes out to you and your family during this time of loss. Dr. Boerner was always so kind and soft spoken. His faith was evident in everything that he did from his poetry to how he treated others. I will certainly miss having him here as I know you all will. We can rest assured knowing that he has found peace in Heaven. God bless.
To the Family of Dr. Boerner,
I first met Dr. Boerner in 1975 when I was a new Respiratory Therapist at St. Joseph’s Hospital. For the next 11 years we had a close working relationship as he was the Medical Director of the Respiratory Department at St.Joseph’s.I saw first hand his caring, compassionate and friendly manner in his dealings with his patients, their families and the staff of the hospital.My wife Trish worked with Dr. Boerner for many years in her role as an RN in the critical care unit. Although I left St.Joseph’s many years ago, Dr. Boerner never failed to ask about me whenever he saw Trish at the hospital.Trish and I have never worked with a finer physician and gentleman. The last time that we saw Dr.Boerner was last summer at a local physicians office.He greeted us with a smile, shook my hand and asked how we were.That was Dr. Boerner, always caring. Dr.Boerner is now in a far better place. May he rest in peace.
Mrs. Boerner and Family,
We were so sadenned to hear of your loss, our hearts go out to all of you. Your family has been so good to us over the years and our prayers are with you.
Jim, Meredith and Megan Medford
Dear Janice & Children: I have such fond memories of Bob & how welcome you all made us feel when Ed & I moved next door to you in Asheville many years ago. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marion (Petruzzello) Severud
I had the honor of teaching Amy my first year at Asheville Christian Academy in 1980-81. I have noticed Dr. Boerner’s devotional poems in the paper and have remembered the family as a result of seeing them on a regular basis. That and the comment in the obituary give evidence of a man who lived out his faith with positive effect on the community in which he lived. I am praying for you as you mourn your loss and his gain as he is face to face with his Lord and Saviour.
What a precious man…Dr. Boerner was the Doctor of not only my Dad, but my Mom on many occassions. I will never forget how he took the time to pray with my parents on many occassions…how he would just hug the family close, as my mom grew worse in her copd disease….He cried right along with us as we were saying our good byes to her….he encouraged us to stay strong and look to God….that was just before his retirement. He really was a unique man and I know Gods garden is more beautiful, because of the precious flower he has today….May God comfort you all and keep you during your loss.
I got to know Dr Boerner after I came to work as faculty at MAHEC Family Practice Residency Program in 1997. I’d talk to him as we were doing chartwork at the nurses station in the hospital. He was always most kind and encouraging to me as I got started on my new job, and I’ll always remember him fondly and with great appreciation. I’m sorry I missed the family when I stopped by at the funeral home.
Sincerely, Dave Mouw MD, PhD
Dear Janice,
I met you at our 50th Reynolds High School reunion. What a champion of a fellow Bob was! A true gentleman!
May you know that you have been very blessed to have had a husband like him. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers for a long time.
God bless you and your children during these days of grieving.
Sincerly, Miriam Todd
TO THE BOERNER FAMILY I NEVER MET YOUR HUSBAND,FATHER,GRANDFATHER,FRIEND, BUT EVERY TUESDAY I WOULD ALWAYS GO 1st TO HIS POEM IN THE ASHEVILLE CITZEN TIMES. THESE POEMS WOULD ALWAYS GIVE ME THE EXTRA LIFT TO GO OUT IN THE WORLD TODAY. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS. VIVIAN WALLACE JERMIAH 33:3
For Dr. Boerner’s family,
My sister and I send our deepest condolences in the loss of Dr. Boerner. Our mother, Texie E. West, was one of his patients for many years. During the progression of her COPD, Dr. Boerner was there for our family all the way. I will fondly remember seeing him and his lovely wife many times at various restaurants after his retirement. May the Peace of the Lord be with you folks now and always.
Janis West, Burnsville, NC
Jerry Edwards, Asheville, NC
My sincere sympathy to Dr. Boerner’s family. My Mom, Betty Cole, of Leicester was a patient of his for many years. He was so good to her and understanding of her condition. When I would go with her to the doctor he was very patient with me as well, taking time to answer all my questions about her COPD. I know you’ll miss him. Rest in the knowledge that he is with the Lord. Clara Hulon
Dear Mrs.Boerner and family,
I somehow missed hearing of Dr. Boerner’s passing only working Prn at the hospital. I saw a memorial today in the paper and was heartbroken. This dear man took care of my mother(Catherine Manning)until her death. I will be eternally grateful for his gentle soul and exceptional bedside manner. Heaven gained a saint of a doctor. We were honored to know him and blessed by his care and friendship. You are all in my prayers. Sincerely, Cathleen Hunt
Dear Mrs. Boerner, I just recently learned of Dr. Boerner’s passing. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I so enjoyed the times you & Dr. Boerner spent shopping with me at Tyson’s Furniture. I was always glad to see the two of you come in, it always brightened my day. I am retired now and don’t stay in touch like I should so please excuse my late condolences. Nancy Race
Dear Janice,
I have just learned of Bob’s death.
I have just retired and have been looking up some of the heroes/Angels
in my life. Bob was a huge help to me during my tour as a partially trained internist at MacDill AFB. He was an extraordinary physician who,no matter how busy he was, always had time to discuss a difficult case and offer support. Most of all, I enjoyed his company/friendship.
I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you are enjoying good health and your family.
Best wishes,
Ned Kelleher
I sincerely apologize for not knowing about Dr. Boerner’s passing. I worked with him at St. Joe’s and Mission. He was such a gentleman and a excellent physician. He loved medicine and always took it personally when a patient wasn’t doing good or passed. So sorry for your loss.
Family Ties from Chesterfield VA.