Frederic C. Feiler MD

Frederic Charles Feiler, MD passed away on November 30, 2011. He was born on March 8, 1930 in Frankfurt, Germany to Dr. Melvin Feiler and Johanna Feiler, J.D. The family fled Germany in 1939, immigrated to the United States, and settled in Chicago, Illinois. Fred began his university studies as a high school junior and obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago. Fred graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Illinois Research and Education Hospitals. While in residency, Fred met the love of his life, physical therapist Virginia Van Bree, and they married in 1956. After Fred served in the US Army Medical Corps, the family settled in Colorado Springs in 1962.

Fred started his career at the Colorado Springs Medical Center and later co founded Rustic Hills Orthopaedics, now known as Front Range Orthopaedics. In a medical career that spanned over five decades, Dr. Feiler served as clinical staff at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Chief of Staff at Memorial Hospital, Chief of Staff at St Francis Hospital, and Director of the Memorial Hospital Wound Care Center. Most recently he volunteered his time at Peak Vista Community Health Center. Fred was also active in many professional organizations including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the El Paso County Medical Society, the Rocky Mountain Trauma Association, the Western Orthopaedic Association and the Mid-Central States Orthopaedic Society.

High on his list of joys were the many years that Fred and Ginny volunteered at leprosy and orthopaedic hospitals in Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal. More recently the couple volunteered at Burmese refugee clinics in Mae Sot, Thailand.

Fred had a smile and a hearty handshake for everyone he met. He was a friend to all and his warmth and compassion cannot be surpassed. Fred was an avid skier, tennis player, and automobile enthusiast. He enjoyed literature, classical music, and was well known for his uncanny ability to recite limericks. However, it was a large and vigorous family life that he enjoyed foremost.

Fred is survived by his wife of 55 years Ginny and his children: Katharine (Richard) Meinig, Frederic (Sharon), Karl (Nancy), Suzanne (Paul) Connaughton, and Stephen (Kelly), his grandchildren: Elisabeth, Erich, and Peter Meinig; Deric, Tatum , and Casey Feiler; Scott, Jenni, and Cory Feiler; Katharine, Aidan, and Andrew Connaughton; Owen, Theo, and Christopher Feiler. Fred will also be deeply missed by his twin brother Ernest Feiler, MD, sister-in-law Sarah Van Bree (Patrick) Denny, niece Barbara (Kip) Kolkmeier and nephew Thomas (Lauren) Feiler.

We will love him and miss him forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peak Vista Community Health Centers Foundation (722 S. Wahsatch, Colorado Springs, CO 80903) or the Nepal Youth Foundation (3030 Bridgeway, Suite 202, Sausalito, CA 94965).

A memorial service will be held at Broadmoor Community Church on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.