Sent to me by Dr. Neubauer's daughter, Ginger, who is also my good friend. This obituary will be followed by links to Dr. Neubauer's sites, his books, a few of the many books and articles featuring him, and the guest book from the Sun Sentinel, Dr. Neubauer's local Florida newspaper.
Richard A. Neubauer, M.D., Pioneer in the Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Neurologic Conditions, Dies at 83
Richard Allen Neubauer, M.D., internationally recognized pioneer in the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for a variety of neurologic and related disorders, died on June 11, 2007. He remained active with research and clinical work until the last few weeks of his life and died at his home in Pompano Beach, FL.
Dr. Neubauer became interested in potential applications of HBOT during the early 1970s, at which time he acquired a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. He went on to establish and direct the Ocean Hyperbaric Neurologic Center in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, where he treated people coming to the Center from throughout the world. His research and clinical practice led to the conclusion that with a hyperbaric chamber, pressurized oxygen could be provided to damaged central nervous system neurons and help restore their function. Among the conditions researched and treated at the Center have been multiple sclerosis, near drowning, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, anoxic encephalopathy, coma, and stroke. A recent focus has been the treatment of severely afflicted children with mitochondrial diseases.
His international reputation led to invitations to speak at numerous scientific meetings throughout the world. His travels as a lecturer on hyperbaric medicine included Europe, Asia, Africa, South American, and Australia. He also hosted six international hyperbaric oxygen symposia in South Florida. He was the author of Hyperbaric Oxygenation for Cerebral Palsy and the Brain Injured Child: A Promising Treatment and was coauthor of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. He has appeared on The Today Show, The Discovery Channel and countless national and international news broadcasts. He also wrote numerous book chapters and scientific articles on the treatment of neurologic conditions with hyperbaric oxygen. His letters and articles appeared in many scientific journals, including JAMA, Lancet, Stroke, The New England Journal of Medicine, The British Medical Journal and American Family Physician. Dr. Neubauer was dedicated to advancing knowledge about the potential of HBOT and he personally trained many physicians from around the US and multiple other countries. As a result, many patients even in the far corners of the world have benefited from this safe and effective type of therapy.
He was a native of Wilmington, DE. He attended the College of William and Mary, where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society. He completed his medical training at the University of Virginia in 1947 and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha (honorary medical). He was involved in research and clinical medical practice in Wilmington and Philadelphia before relocating with his family to South Florida in 1962. There he developed a thriving practice in internal medicine and was instrumental in the establishment of Beach Hospital (later Cleveland Clinic) in Fort Lauderdale where he served as Chief of Staff and Director of Medical Development.
Among his many honors was his election to the Royal Society of Medicine. He was a founder of the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine and a member of the World Federation of Neurology Executive Committee on Underwater Medicine.
He is survived by the love of his life, his inspiration and his soul mate; his wife of 61 years, Winnie “Winkie” Isabelle Neubauer; four children, Richard Allen Neubauer, Jr. of Marysville, CA, David N. Neubauer of Baltimore, MD, Virginia Isabelle Neubauer Reilly of Margate, FL, and Marion Elizabeth Neubauer of Fort Lauderdale, FL; as well as two grandchildren, Rebecca Lynne Neubauer and Robert Martin Neubauer, living in Maryland.
Guest Book for Richard A. Neubauer -- in the Sun Sentinel, Dr. Neubauer's local Florida newspaper. People who want to send wishes of condolence to Dr. Neubauer's family are invited to do so here.
Dr. Neubauer's Websites: Ocean Hyperbaric, Personal Website
Books by Dr. Neubauer: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (with Morton Walker), Hyperbaric Oxygenation for Cerebral Palsy and the Brain Injured Child and Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine (with several co-authors, including K. K. Jain and Paul Harch)
Other Information About Dr. Neubauer:
NEW BOOK: The Oxygen Revolution, by Paul Harch, MD, and Virginia McCullough
ARTICLE: Could Alternative Medicine Have Saved Terri Schiavo, published by Alternative and Complementary Therapies Magazine, June, 2005.
Dr Neubauer was looked upon as a great man around the world. Although I did not have the pleasure of meeting him, he touched my daughter along with so many families. Through his books and compassion for those including myself with a brain injured child his research helped me make informed decisions. So much I am the founder of a center in PA in honor of my daughters recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Posted by: Elaine Parker | June 20, 2007 at 07:26 AM
Dr.Neubauer alway had time for people, he would explain things on a level that you could understand.
We owe a great deal to this wonderful man for all his teachings, his care and compassion. Our youngest sons(twins) who both have cerebral palsy live a much better quality of life because of Dr. Neubauer and his work with HBOT. We are grateful to have have had the pleasure and honor to spend time with Doc over the years at many different HBOT events.
Now that we have our own Hyperbaric Clinics, we promis to carry on "our quest" in Dr. Neubauers name and work to help give these special children and their families a better quality of life.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, staff and all the families who's lives he changed. He will be missed by us all.
Claudine Lanoix, Tom Fox
Tiffany, Justin, Eric, Michel and Mathieu Nadeau
Posted by: Claudine Lanoix | June 21, 2007 at 08:26 AM
Dr.Neubauer alway had time for people, he would explain things on a level that you could understand.
We owe a great deal to this wonderful man for all his teachings, his care and compassion. Our youngest sons(twins) who both have cerebral palsy live a much better quality of life because of Dr. Neubauer and his work with HBOT. We are grateful to have have had the pleasure and honor to spend time with Doc over the years at many different HBOT events.
Now that we have our own Hyperbaric Clinics, we promis to carry on "our quest" in Dr. Neubauers name and work to help give these special children and their families a better quality of life.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, staff and all the families who's lives he changed. He will be missed by us all.
Claudine Lanoix, Tom Fox
Tiffany, Justin, Eric, Michel and Mathieu Nadeau
Posted by: Claudine Lanoix | June 21, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Our hyperbaric center in Hawaii did not accept neurological patients until we started following Dr. Neubauer's research and attending his international conferences. Because of his work, we now treat hundreds of children every year with neurological injuries, and they are recovering because of Richard's pioneering work. A lovely man who will be sorely missed.
Posted by: Dr. Maryellen Markley | June 21, 2007 at 07:02 PM
I've registered a new HBOT compartment.
Patent No. 37572007
I use it myself
It's a Life Saving HB Bag that supplies oxygen under pressure to people in accidents, to prevent hypoxia and may be anoxia and death of tissues. This could happen before the casualties reach the target emergency centers or conventional HB. We can put it in ambulance or a suitable car or room. LSHBB is a plastic suit, cheap, safe and easy to use by any one under the necessary precautions of using oxygen in general. LSHBB can be used to treat animals. It can be used in research purposes as well.
I manually make the bag that withstands needed pressure. It will itself help sell your existing ones. The specification is sufficient for the purpose I made it for up till now. I'm thinking of manufacturing it for sale. I would be thankful if you could supply me with better accessories and opportunities. The bag still needs authorization to be produced internationally.
Cooperation will be appreciated
Regards
Adel Nada
Posted by: Adel Nada | July 21, 2007 at 12:38 PM
A Wonderful man who helped hundreds of people. His legacy lives on (his clinic is open and family owned) and he will never be forgotten.
Posted by: Geenie | October 24, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Dr.Neubauer was a wonderful physician who treated my mother after her cardiac arrest, and resulting anoxic encephalopathy- secondary to upper airway obtstruction. He will always have a place in our hearts! I am so sorry to learn he has gone on without us!
Posted by: Carol Sylvia | May 02, 2009 at 10:52 PM