Paying tribute to former publisher Charles S. Lauer

Our former publisher, Charles S. Lauer, passed away at the age of 86.

Lauer joined Crain Communications, Modern Healthcare’s parent company, in 1976 as publisher of the magazine and was named a vice president of Crain in 1981.

Crain President and Editorial Director Rance Crain recalled that when the company purchased Modern Healthcare the entire sales staff resigned. So Lauer rolled up his sleeves and took on their business.

“He was always unfailingly upbeat, and he zeroed in on key accounts and traveled the nation in search of new business,” Crain said.

Lauer previously was an executive vice president at Family Media. His career in publishing began working for Life magazine at Time Inc. He later served as a sales manager for two McGrawHill trade publications and the publications of the American Medical Association.

Throughout his life, Lauer received numerous awards including the Michael E. DeBakey Award for Achievements in Healthcare, the Diversity Champion Award, the National Healthcare Award from B’nai B’rith International and a lifetime fellowship from the American College of Medical Administrators. He also received Modern Healthcare’s Hall of Fame founder’s award for his role in creating the annual program in 1988.

Lauer’s wake will be held on May 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Donnellan funeral home in Skokie, Ill. The funeral will be on May 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Winnetka (Ill.) Presbyterian Church. Donations to the American Cancer Society can be made in lieu of flowers.