Charles Sumner Neer II 1917-2011Charles Sumner Neer II was born in 1917 in Oklahoma into a medical family. Both his father and his grandfather were physicians. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where he also did his internship in general surgery. He started his residency on the Fracture Service of the Presbyterian Hospital, but his residency was interrupted as he proudly served as a Captain in the United States Army during World War II, first in Europe under General George Patton and then in Asia. He returned to finish his training on the Fracture Service and at the New York Orthopaedic Hospital and became an attending. He eventually became Chief of both the Fracture Service and then the Adult Reconstructive Service at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center as well as Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University.
During his orthopaedic career, Dr. Neer was a highly valued member of his profession, receiving many honors both nationally and internationally, especially for his contributions in shoulder surgery and reconstruction. Dr. Neer was Founding President of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, and Founding Chairman of the International Board of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. He also cherished his service to The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and was recognized by the Board with a Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Neer was a prolific writer, authoring many definitive articles on topics such as displaced humeral fractures, subacromial impingement, multidirectional instability, and shoulder arthroplasty. His articles were characterized by thoughtful insight, attention to detail, and intellectual honesty. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British Volume) recently searched the orthopaedic literature from 1945 to 2008 for the top 100 quoted articles. Dr. Neer had five articles in the top 100—more than anyone else, a remarkable achievement. His classic textbook, Shoulder Reconstruction, was published in 1990. Furthermore, he was an innovative surgeon and developed creative surgical techniques and prostheses that advanced the art of shoulder surgery. A Neer prosthesis is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institute.
Dr. Neer created the first shoulder and elbow service and fellowship. He trained numerous fellows and welcomed visitors from around the world to his service. He trained and fostered many of the leaders of shoulder surgery in the world. He certainly was a model educator and mentor. He also lectured extensively throughout the world on many aspects of shoulder surgery. Dr. Neer will be remembered for his outstanding contributions that advanced the art and science of orthopaedics.
—L.U.B.