Memorial Bench celebrates Dr. Thayer’s legacy of compassionate women’s care

In 2024, nearly four years after the passing of honored community member and physician, Dr. David Thayer, a bench will be named in his honor on the Boulder Community Health Foothills Hospital campus. Led by his daughter Emily, Dr. Thayer’s community from near and far came together to honor his legacy by raising over $5,000 to name a memorial bench outside of the Tebo Cancer Center. With this memorial bench, the family hopes that they connect his beloved BCH community to their family and pass on his legacy.

His daughter Emily shared that, “This whole process has been really good for me. When my dad died, I was two months postpartum and totally lost. His celebration of life was exactly a year later, and I was broken hearted announcing our second baby while planning and trying to grieve at his virtual memorial. Life has been full on and until recently, I just couldn’t DO anything. Being able to work on this and having so many people involved has been lifting in an unbelievable way.”

Dr. Thayer and his family moved to Boulder in 1985 where he opened his own OB/GYN private practice, The Thayer Group for Women’s Care. Caring for thousands of women, delivering countless children until 2000, and then practicing gynecology until 2016; Dr. Thayer devoted himself to quality, evidence-based medicine to treat the whole patient. He was a pioneer in working with midwives in Boulder County, and later with his work with the DaVinci Robot.

His community shared their thoughts in supporting the purchase of this bench:

• “Dr. Thayer always empowered me to live my life exactly the way I wanted to. I miss him and I cannot wait to visit his bench!”
• “This is a wonderful idea, and especially beneficial for David's grandchildren. Although he might not be here physically, there is now something tangible for the kiddos to touch, climb on, and visit. I hope this will help ensure his legend lives on.”
• "Your Father was amazing as are you. I support your tribute to him and his great heart. I can’t wait until we celebrate its dedication. Keep it up! Keep us posted too."
• "Dr. Thayer was my doctor. A compassionate, talented, lovely human being who gave me a new lease on life. I am most grateful for his care and the gifts he gave me."

Dr. Thayer loved his family, friends, and patients. He left an indelible impression of compassion with those whom he met. He loved adventure travel, skiing, biking, hiking, dining, and a good cocktail with friends. He battled his cancer with courage and good humor until the end. BCH is proud to honor Dr. Thayer with this bench.

If you would like to visit the Dr. Thayer memorial bench it is located in the side courtyard of the Tebo Cancer Center at BCH.