- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Buehnerkempers announce retirement, closure of optometry practice
LAKEPORT, Calif. — After nearly three decades of taking care of thousands of patients, a Lake County optometrist is closing his doors and heading into retirement.
Dr. Mark Buehnerkemper announced his retirement earlier this month.
He and wife, Monica, own the optometry practice at 120 S. Main St. in Lakeport.
“Aug. 31 is our last day of patient care,” he said.
However, they will work part-time through September to close out the practice, work that includes dispensing glasses, finalizing billing and insurance claims, and finishing up the expected odds and ends after nearly 26 years of practice.
Dr. David Browning, owner of Eye Care Optometric in Lakeport, will take custody of the records for Buehnerkempers’ estimated 3,500 patients at his location at 225 S Main St., next to the Soper Reese Theatre.
“He’ll be taking on many of our patients,” Mark Buehnerkemper said.
“He’s also graciously hired all of our staff. All five of our staff members are going over there,” he added.
Except for wife Monica. “She’s going with me,” he quipped.
The Buehnerkempers also own M-Square Farms in Kelseyville. Monica is an accomplished equestrian who has a successful — and full — horse boarding operation with 18 slots. They also have horses of their own, plus dogs, goats, cats and other pets.
Mark is a musician who has been a part of the popular band, the Lake County Diamonds and has been active in Rotary since 1997, serving as president from 2006 to 2007.
They’ve also been very involved with church activities. They were part of the music ministry for 17 years at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lakeport, where they also were involved in youth ministry. For six years they led music at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Clearlake for 6 years and also helped that church with confirmation class.
Once the office is closed up, the Buehnerkempers will load up their two horses, critters and possession, and head to Rockwall, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, where they plan to make their new home.
They’ve selected that area of Texas because it’s a central location to reach their three adult children — who live in Phoenix, Dallas and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — and four grandchildren, with another on the way.
The couple has been married since 1988. Initially, Mark came out of school with an engineering degree and worked in that field, for two different aerospace companies, before going back to optometry school. Monica, who also worked in aerospace, supported him through optometry school while working as a computer programmer.
They made the move to Lake County from Norco almost 26 years ago, arriving on Nov. 15, 1996, in order for Mark to take his first job out of optometry school working for Dr. Robert J. Blanche.
He worked for Dr. Blanche a month and a half before Blanche retired. The Buehnerkempers purchased the practice from Blanche on Jan. 1, 1997.
Before coming to Lake County, they did have some ties to the area. Monica’s mother, Ada Lou Duacsek, was born and raised in Clearlake when it was known as the Clearlake Highlands, and the family had kept connections here.
In the years since he moved to Lake County, Dr. Buehnerkemper has cared for thousands of Lake County patients, as his wife has kept the office running smoothly.
Their plans to retire have been in the works for some time. However, despite working for almost three years to find an alternative to closing, the Buehnerkempers said they were unable to find a replacement.
They said they’ve been unable to find doctors willing to move to a rural area. They’ve also found that most doctors do not want to take on the responsibility of practice ownership and prefer to work as an employee for a larger entity.
“They just want to see patients,” Mark said. “The hospital has the same problem.”
They said they tried everything, from looking for associates, a buyer and private equity, and approaching Lake County Tribal Health and Adventist Health.
“None of that worked out,” he explained.
The fact that they’re having to close rather than pass the practice on to another optometrist has left Dr. Buehnerkemper with mixed emotions.
The building and M-Square Farms will be listed for sale in mid-September, with Bobby Dutcher being the listing agent for both properties. The Buehnerkempers are hoping someone will buy the ranch and continue the boarding.
The Lake County Diamonds will continue to play local gigs as a trio. “I’m going to come back when I’m available to help out,” Mark said.
The Buehnerkempers also will be working at Dr. Browning’s office for a short time to help with the transition.
If patients want copies of their existing records forwarded to a provider other than Eye Care Optometric, they’re asked to call Dr. Buehnerkemper’s office at 707-263-0101 before Friday, Aug. 26.
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