Dr. Markert......

Roundup Ranch Founder, Dies at 61


"The Ranch was his first love and second life" said Thomas Gunn of
Roundup Ranch.

He referred to Dr. Charles T. Markert of Ridgefield Park, NJ, founder
of Roundup Ranch, Wilson Hollow, Downsville, who died Wednesday
Jan 19, while at lunch at Saddle Brook, NJ.  Death was caused by a
heart attack.  He was 61-years old.

Dr. Markert was also a co-founder of Saddle Brook General Hospital
and was one of the founders of the North Jersey Osteopathic General
Hospital Association  which established an 18 bed institution in
Dumont, NJ in 1945.

He also was instrumental in the hospital's relocation  and
reorganization  as Saddle Brook General Hospital in 1960.

An Osteopathic Physician with a wide following of patients from New
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he had a enviable reputation in
this field.

                        Came up During War

Dr. Markert came to Delaware County during World War II and
purchased property now owned by Clayton Kilpatrick on the
Downsville side of Bear Spring Mountain.  He continued to purchase
property, one tract being the Howard Kelly farm upon which the barn
had burned.

Perhaps because of his knowledge of some downstate operations, he
came up with a plan to found Round Up Ranch Resort which opened
on Wilson Hollow on Decoration Day in 1947.  It has been an ever
expanding operation which in 1956, saw the start of a golf course on
the site and at another time the construction of an indoor swimming
pool.

The round Up Ranch Quarter Horse show has grown to be the
second largest of its kind in the recognized ones in the nation.  This
year the 15th show will take place.

The late ranch owner's key interest was in cutting horses.  The horse
Unoroyal, which he owns is ranked third in the nation.

Spending as much time as possible from his Jersey Osteopathic
responsibilities, at the ranch he could be often seen here with his
cowboy hat and his cigar, which he was forced to give up after suffering
a heart attack more than one year ago.

The Rodeo at the ranch was another innovation which he began.  It
was a big promotion at the start.

Dr. Markert was born in Pennsylvania August 20th, 1915.  He is
survived by his wife Barbara, two sons Charles Jr. and Thomas of
Downsville, a daughter Barbara Black of Wallington, NJ, one sister
Mrs. Arline Dart of Ridgefield Park, NJ.

Services were held at Volk Funeral Home, Teaneck, NJ at 9 Jan 22
and at 2 in Downsville.  Burial Will be in Paige Cemetery at the
convenience of the family.

He gained nationwide fame in 1947 when he was called from his bed
on a particularly snowy night to deliver a baby in a car.  At the time he
had a fractured foot and he had to be pulled to the birth scene on a
sled.  News commentator Jimmy Fiddler at the time, gave him his
honor of the week award.

                        Medical Degree

He received his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathy
and Surgery at Kirksville, MO in 1938 and did graduate work at
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery,
Philadelphia, PA from 1938-1940.  He opened his practice at 295
Mains Street in Ridgefield Park in 1938.  He was a member of the
Amercian Osteopathic Association, the New Jersey Association of
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, and the Bergen County
Osteopathic Medical Society.

During his association with Saddle Brook General Hospital, Dr.
Markert served as president of the medical staff as a member, vice
president and president of the board of directors.  He was a member
of the hospital's board or management, since its inception.

He was a member of the Adair Lodge 368 F & A.M. of Kirskville,
MO, past exalted ruler of Ridgefield Park Elks, team physician for
Ridgefield Park football team for a number of years.