Charles Henry de Boer was a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in Liverpool. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya, on 2 September 1921, where his father was chief colonial medical officer. He was sent to England for his schooling, and was cared for by his great aunt, Alice de Boer, a doctor. He graduated during the Second World War from Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and, having gained his part one FRCS, moved to the London Hospital with the Price scholarship for his clinical studies. A perforated peptic ulcer meant he was excluded from military service. A chance meeting with Alan Brews (a consultant gynaecologist) on qualification and a job vacancy in Brentwood, Essex, was the start of his career in obstetrics and gynaecology. He remained in and around London during these formative years, gaining his FRCS and his membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In 1955 Charles de Boer was appointed as a consultant in Liverpool. He rapidly became much in demand as his reputation as an enthusiastic teacher of nurses, medical students, junior doctors and midwives grew. He taught with stories, analogies and, above all, by example. His lectures were illustrated by his own drawings, his homemade slides and using himself or trainees. The fallopian tubes were outstretched arms, the fimbriae the hands and fingers. He never stopped trying to ignite enthusiasm in the next generation of obstetricians, nurses and midwives. Medical students were always pleased to be on his 'firm', and each had the opportunity to become 'student of the week'. This lucky student spent a week doing whatever Charles did, be it clinics, operating, brick laying or DIY. His clinical interests were wide; he never stopped questioning and welcomed new technologies. He was one of the first in Liverpool to use obstetric ultrasound and develop fertility services. He was a builder and designer of gadgets, coils, pessaries and instruments, most of which were never adopted widely, but this did not stop him. Concern about the nutrition of antenatal patients saw him create a fortified chocolate bar. In many ways he was ahead of his time. Outside medicine his family and friends were very important to him. DIY, gadgets, silver-smithing, woodwork, rug-making and other hand crafts kept him busy. He was an active freemason and a liveryman of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. He was a county councillor on Merseyside Metropolitan County Council before his retirement and afterwards a local parish council councillor. He retired in 1986 and moved to Staffordshire. He was very proud to become the first family member with a City and Guilds certificate (in ceramics). Through his metalwork class he made many firm friends. He had a wonderful, rewarding retirement, doing what he wanted, and spending time with his wife and his ever growing family. He spent many happy hours developing a wave energy machine, which never became viable, but friends and family were all encouraged to help with research and development, in theory and on inland waterways, and even on the high seas. He married Joyce van Gelder, a midwife teacher from the London Hospital, in 1952. Eventually Joyce developed dementia and her health deteriorated. Charles cared for her lovingly and patiently for as long as he was able, in spite of his own failing health and eyesight. Once he was diagnosed with prostate cancer they moved to Warwickshire to be close to their son. Charles died on 15 June 2013 at the age of 91. His wife died only three months later. They were survived by their four children (one a consultant gynaecologist and another a consultant paediatrician), 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson.