Dr. Mark Meyer, a longtime orthopedic surgeon who served Gothenburg Memorial Hospital, was among the victims of a small plane crash Wednesday night north of Kearney.

Meyer practiced in Gothenburg for many years, during a time when visiting specialists were far less common than they are today. His presence ensured that patients in the area received expert orthopedic care close to home.

Although Meyer last practiced in Gothenburg more than a decade ago, his legacy remains strong among former patients and longtime staff members.

“Dr. Meyer had a big and, I would say, very friendly personality,” said Deb Hecox, a nurse who has worked at Gothenburg Health for many years. “During the time he was at Gothenburg Memorial, there was one small employee dining room with maybe four or five tables. Staff was less than half of what we now have. We almost all ate in that small dining area.”

Hecox recalled the camaraderie that developed in that space, where employees from different departments mingled freely.

“You rarely sat with people from your own department—you just sat wherever there was an open chair,” she said. “Most everyone in the hospital knew Dr. Meyer, even if they didn’t directly work with him. At one time or another, they likely talked to him over lunch or as he came in to get a cup of coffee.”

Meyer is remembered not only for his medical expertise but also for the warmth and connection he brought to the workplace and the community.