IN MEMORY

Middlebury, Vermont,

Charles Mraz, age 94, died early Monday morning at his home, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness. Charles was born on July 26, 1905 in Woodside, New York City, son of Karl and Maris Mraz.

Charles moved to Middlebury in 1928 and established Champlain
Valley Apiaries. He became a world renowned beekeeper and maintained New England's largest apiary for over 60 years. He traveled to South and Central America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as a consultant on beekeeping methods and technology.

In 1992, the American Beekeeping Federation recognized Charles among the five most distinguished beekeepers in this country for his advances in commercial beekeeping.

He was a columnist and contributing writer for "Gleanings in Bee Culture" and the "American Bee Journal". respectively.

Charles was recognized in this country as the pioneer of bee venom therapy, the use of bee stings to treat autoimmune diseases. He initiated clinical research with scientists at Sloan-Kettering Institute and Walter Reed Army Institute.

He established the standard for purity for dried whole venom for the FDA and was the supplier of venom to pharmaceutical companies throughout the world.

He was a founding member and Executive Director of the American Apitherapy Society. Charles earned the gratitude of thousands of people who traveled to his home for bee venom treatments or met him at apitherapy conferences around the country. In 1994 he authored "Health and the Honey Bee", a recounting of his experience with bee venom therapy.

Charles was an avid gardener and dedicated to the practice of organic farming. He was a president and board member of the Natural Food and Farming Association, the precursor to the Northern Organic Farming Association.

Memorial contributions may be made to:


American Apitheripy Society, 5370 Carmel Rd., Hillsboro, Ohio, 45133.
Credit to: NY Times


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Personal Thoughts


I was so very lucky to have met this wonderful, concerned, giving, loving and kind man. When I started BVT there were no books, only the phone. Charlie and Pat Wagner were always there coaching, giving advise, showing concern, and sharing their love. I started BVT the end of March, 1993. In September, 1993, the American Apitherapy Society met in Baltimore, Maryland and I knew I had to meet Charlie Mraz. We had spent so much time on the phone together just to meet him face to face and we did. The trip was planned, Pat was going to introduce us, however, walking into the hotel there he was in the lobby. I walked up to him and just starting hugging and kissing him all the while through my tears telling him who I was. With my accent he would have guessed anyway. Mr Webster just didn't give me to words to thank him properly for yes, giving me my hope and life back.


It did not end there, we all three spoke to the Virginia Bee Association in Virginia together in November, 1994. To be on the same stage with the Father of Beekeeping, the Master of BVT and the Bee Lady, I glowed. I had spoken to the Association the year before and they promised to have Charlie and Pat at the next year's meeting. My dream came true. Yes, Pat and I were stung by Charlie that night before the meeting, surrounded by beekeepers, family members and others that loved us. The placebo twins that gave you love for what we are now. Pat and I will always be the "placebo twins" in your eyes and ours.


In July, 1995, Pat and I flew to Vermont for Charlie's 90th birthday and what a birthday that was. We got to meet Charlie's family and they welcomed us with opened arms. Vermont is beautiful, a trip I'll never forget. A time with Charlie and his family that I hold dear in my heart. A big thanks to Dick Johnson for picking Pat and I up at the airport and taking us to Charlie's home and back to the airport again. Very patient with the girls who needed to see Charlie before we left and to shop at the shops in the airport before we departed. We love you Dick Johnson.


All through the years, I could just pick up the phone and hear that beautiful voice. A wisdom that compares with nothing else. A caring for his fellow humans never to be matched. There was always that feeling of warmth and love.


I still cannot imagine now that I can't pick up my phone to hear you just one more time. Charlie, you are and will always be in my heart, my life was made better by knowing and loving you. My promise to you as it has always been, and to quote the video tape at the Virginia meeting, as Donald and I were named Beekeepers of the Year, is "we accept this with the hope that Charlie's dream will one day be a reality. That the medical profession will recognize BVT as a viable treatment in autoimmune diseases."


With tears, I end this memorial to you, the way I did the first time I met you. Thank you Charlie, thank you, you gave my life back to me, I love and adore you. Just like that day, words failed to be able to tell you exactly what you mean to me. One day we will meet again in a place where disease and illness is not known. Until then, I know you are watching over us all.



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With Love
The Chandler Family
Always, Charlie's and Pat's, Bee Angel



Honeybee Health Products-Charles Mraz's daughter, Michelle



The photos are just a few of our special memories. There are video tapes and more pictures. I hope you enjoyed sharing them with me. The last photo in the java display is the last photo of the three of us together. If you are unable to receive java the photos will be posted on pages. Please use the "next" button to see the photos. Thank you. The music is by Vince Gill, "Go Rest High On That Mountain.


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