Beebe installs plaque to honor Dr. Robert Klingel

Beebe Medical Center recently paid tribute to former physician Dr. Robert L. Klingel, MD, who passed away in September 1997. The hospital installed a plaque to acknowledge his contributions to the growth of Beebe, and to acknowledge his commitment to his patients and the community. The plaque is located in the hospital’s Hall of Honors.

Klingel was a member of the Beebe Medical Center medical staff for more than 40 years. He was a general practitioner, and he was one of only three physicians who served coastal Delaware in the 1950s.

Klingel attended the medical school at St. Louis University and served as a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was stationed in San Francisco and attended the 1945 conference on the establishment of the United Nations, and later that year he was transferred to Fort Miles in Lewes, where served as the medical officer.

After the war, he established a practice in Rehoboth Beach and became affiliated with Beebe.

Klingel also contributed to the growth of the Beebe School of Nursing, serving as the school physician until his death. He also taught at the school.