BEAUCHAMP, Dr. George Robert Dr. George Robert Beauchamp passed away the morning of April 21st 2016 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 73 years. George was born on November 27th 1942 in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Dr. George Albert Beauchamp and Kathryn Elizabeth McCarbery Beauchamp. He graduated from New Trier High School in Evanston, Illinois before pursuing his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and his medical degree at Northwestern Medical School. While serving his country in the United States Army, George continued his education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he completed his internship and residency. He pursued his fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology and corneal surgery in Washington, DC at the Washington Eye Center and Children’s Hospital National Medical Center, under the tutelage of the late Dr. Marshall M. Parks, a lifelong mentor and friend. Throughout his career, which was dedicated to optimizing the potential of every child for whom he cared, Dr. Beauchamp worked both in private practice in Washington, D.C. and in the department of ophthalmology at The Cleveland Clinic. In 1991, he relocated to private practice in Dallas, Texas and would later be joined by his daughter, Dr. Cynthia L. Beauchamp, M.D. Having the opportunity to teach, partner with and change children’s lives in conjunction with his daughter, Cynthia, was one of the greatest joys of his personal and professional life. Dr. Beauchamp was a leader in the field of pediatric ophthalmology, serving as a Director of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and of the American Board of Ophthalmology. He was Chairman of the Ethics Committee for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and was an Ethics Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He served as President and subsequently Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Eye Foundation, a foundation dedicated to ending preventable vision loss in children. He traveled extensively internationally to teach, mentor and perform charitable surgery throughout his career. Dr. Beauchamp published over 80 articles in peer reviewed medical journals, including several book chapters. In 2007 he published his first book, Slaves to Medicine; in 2012, his daughters published his book of life values, entitled Pop Pop’s Rules. His research includes performance measures applied to medical outcomes. He approached every problem with great curiosity and intellect, choosing always to work to get from ‘curious’ to ‘grateful’ in every endeavor. Above all, George was a kind and gentle man: a doctor, author, medical philosopher, teacher, mentor, husband, father and wonderful “pop pop”. He was universally loved by children young and old. He adored his family and spending idyllic time with them at the summer home he designed on Long Pond Lake in the woods of Maine. George was also a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, an aficionado of chocolate, a frequent adopter of animals, a teller of groan-worthy jokes, and giver of the warmest handshake or hug. His unfailing optimism and joy of life were gifts to all who knew him. He is survived by his loving and loyal wife of almost 50 years, Suzanne Chelborg Beauchamp, his daughters: Christine Marie Beauchamp of New York, NY, and Dr. Cynthia Lais Beauchamp (Dirk Christian Fisher) of Dallas, Texas, his grandchildren: George Robert Beauchamp II (Christine’s son, whom she named in honor of her father), and Cynthia’s sons, Kyle Beauchamp Fisher, Chase Beauchamp Fisher, and Finnley Beauchamp Fisher, his sister, Anne Beauchamp Fahner (Tyrone Fahner) of Chicago, Illinois, as well as a beautiful community of extended family, colleagues, and friends. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Medical Intensive Care Unit of Medical City Dallas whose compassionate care for George in his last weeks will forever be gratefully remembered. George’s family intends to honor his lifetime and legacy at a later time. In lieu of flowers, they request that his memory be honored through donations in his name to the Children’s Eye Foundation, the charitable organization to which he dedicated over 30 years of his life with great passion and love (www.childrenseyefoundation.org).

“He was truly unique in that he had a presence when he walked into a room that few could rival.  He was articulate, refined, confident, and showed remarkable equanimity…  George was the finest, most meticulous, surgeon I’ve ever operated with.  He was a gifted surgeon.  He made the world a better place.” – David Stager, Jr

“George Beauchamp was guided by principle, and began everything he did by asking “the why”; he believed that our words and deeds had to be a direct reflection of good principles, and George led by example.  But George Beauchamp was more than just a beacon, he was so full of joy I swear it caused his eyes to twinkle, like stars.  And that’s how we might remember George, as a star.  Stars offer to guide us and challenge us to reach beyond ourselves, and that’s what George Beauchamp did for us.” – Mike Abrams

“I was struck by Dr. Beauchamp’s truly kind and genuinely warm nature as a fellow during my first Costenbader Meeting nearly 14 years ago. And at each meeting thereafter, Dr. Beauchamp continuously inspired and motivated me, through his medical knowledge and brilliant vision, including far-reaching humanistic and ethical issues. He was clearly a most special person– a gentleman, doctor, and ethicist. He had a tremendous impact and clearly touched the lives of so many, through his personal endeavors and monumental successful efforts, including his world-wide phenomenal accomplishments through the Children’s Eye Foundation. He truly was an inspiration. One could not help but see it– Dr. Beauchamp cared… about so much, and so many.” – Dorothy Reynolds

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