Charles Bales, M.D.

Charles Ross Bales, M.D., plastic and general surgeon for over three decades, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family on June 7, 2017 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was 87.

Born on a farm in Oswego, New York, near the shores of Lake Ontario, Dr. Bales was the younger of two sons to Alice Ross Bales and Harold W. Bales, D.V.M. His character and future surgical career were shaped by growing up on an active farm and veterinarian hospital – not only sparking his interest in biology, but also instilling lifelong values of compassion, self-reliance and a strong work ethic.   

Never too far from his family home, Dr. Bales received a BS from Cornell University in 1951 and a master’s from Syracuse University in 1957. Dr. Bales later earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in 1961, serving as a Resident in General Surgery from July 1962 through January 1967. In 1966, he was named Chief Resident in General Surgery at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York and practiced general surgery from 1967 - 1969.

Dr. Bales married Betterly Osborn in her hometown of Fulton, New York in 1964. They started a family and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for Dr. Bales to pursue a plastic surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania in 1969. Now the father of two sons, Dr. Bales moved his young family one final time in 1971 to Erie, where he built a renowned practice in plastic surgery, raised his family, and enjoyed the remainder of his life.

He was well-respected in the medical community and received numerous professional accolades. Dr. Bales worked at hospitals throughout the area, including Hamot Medical Center where he served as Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery beginning July, 1975. Dr. Bales also worked at Saint Vincent Hospital, The Northwest PA Cleft Palate Institute, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and the Erie VA Medical Center. Following many years building his notable private practice in Erie, Dr. Bales completed his career as a member of the Burn Unit at the State University of New York at Syracuse in 1998. Having specialized in wounds and burns, Dr. Bales invested significant time carefully listening to his patients. His gentle and attentive bedside manner was a hallmark of his professional care.

Inspired by the works of Dr. William Mellon, Jr. and Dr. Albert Schweitzer, in 1967, Dr. Bales made his first of 12 volunteer trips to serve a rural and poverty-stricken region in Haiti, which gave definition and meaning to his life’s work. Dr. Bales served as Staff Surgeon at the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer at Deschapelles, in Haiti’s Artibonite River Valley. He worked alongside Dr. Mellon and other volunteers to serve the local population where poverty is the rule and disease is widespread. His passion for third world medicine led him to serve onboard the medical ship HOPE. Throughout his life, Dr. Bales gave lectures on his time in Haiti to help raise awareness for the hospital and its mission.

Dr. Bales enjoyed many outside interests including scuba diving in the Caribbean, boating on the Great Lakes, ice diving and horticulture. Among his fondest memories were the many summertime trips to Florida and the Caribbean to enjoy these leisure activities with his family, including sailing and catching lobsters. Never forgetting his early years on the farm in Oswego, Dr. Bales was equally happy attending the New York State Fair as he was discussing complex medical cases.

Dr. Bales belonged to several societies and associations including: served two terms as a governor of the American College of Surgeons; member of the Plastic Surgery Society; member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society; member of the Robert H. Ivy Society, member of the American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania division; member of the American Burn Association; served as a Board Member of Erie Independence House; and a Board Member of CHOSEN.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betterly (nee Osborn), his two sons Robert W. Bales, M.D. (Mary) and Andrew O. Bales (Rebecca); his grandchildren Jessica (James), Jillian and Jacob; and also his nieces, Laura Bales Barrows (Paul) and Susan Bales Anderson. He was predeceased by his brother, Harold W. Bales, M.D. and sister-in-law, Gertrude A. Bales, M.D. Dr. Bales touched the lives of many as a healer, a devoted husband, loving father and friend. He will be greatly missed by those who had the great privilege to know him.

A burial will take place at The Oswego Town Rural Cemetery, 242 Cemetery Road, Oswego, New York on Wednesday, June 14^th at 12PM. His Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 250 W 7th St, Erie, Pennsylvania 16501 on Friday, June 16^th at 1 PM. Arrangements entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506.