Frank Beare, known affectionately by his colleagues and friends as 'Teddy', was born at Forestside, Mauritius on 20 January 1895, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Charles Alston Beare. His father was the manager of a sugar business. Teddy came to Adelaide as a young boy, and was educated at Queen's School and at the University of Adelaide, graduating in medicine with honours in 1917.
Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the medical corps of the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF), and saw service in Egypt and France as a medical officer with 5 Australian Field Ambulance, and also with 20 Infantry Battalion. In 1920, after a year as a resident medical officer in England he returned to South Australia, and for some months was an intern at the Adelaide Hospital. During 1921, in conjunction with Professor JB Cleland, he conducted research into gastroenteritis in infants and children. For his thesis on this study, he was awarded the MD.
In 1922, he entered general practice at Mile End, a suburb of Adelaide. In 1923, he married Beatrice, daughter of EJ Field, who was then Director of Lands for South Australia. Teddy was always a hard worker and made a success of his practice, having throughout his professional life an excellent rapport with his patients.
In 1930, he went to England for postgraduate study, and in 1931, obtained Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of London. The following year he gained the Diploma in Psychological Medicine. In 1938, he was elected a foundation Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. In 1932, he began practice as a physician, with a leaning towards neurology, and the following year was appointed honorary assistant physician at the Adelaide Hospital. He subsequently became honorary physician in 1941, and continued as such until his retirement from the Hospital in January 1955, at which time he was made honorary consultant physician.
Frank Beare retained his interest in military affairs after the First World War, and when the Second World War erupted on 3 September 1939, he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the militia. He was made Deputy Director Medical Services 4th Military District, but he was anxious for overseas service, and in 1940, was appointed commanding officer of the 2/6 Field Ambulance AIF. Shortly after his arrival in the Middle East, he was promoted to the rank of colonel. Subsequently, he held a number of appointments including Assistant Director Medical Services 6th Division, and commanding officer 2/2 Australian General Hospital. For services in New Guinea, he was awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Teddy as a person was a likeable man, possessed of certain characteristics which distinguished him from others. His features were not unlike those of a koala bear, so his nickname was most appropriate. He was good company, enjoyed an argument, but at times was a trifle hot-headed, which rather suited his slightly auburn hair. He had a ready sense of humour, and a wealth of stories, some of these rather 'risque', the telling of which always commanded the attention of his medical students and friends. He was a very sound physician and an excellent teacher with a down to earth attitude. His ward teaching rounds were always well attended, not only by students attached to his unit, but by many others as well, including postgraduates.
He was singularly happy in his domestic life and had three sons, of whom he was proud. Two of them chose medicine as a career and became Fellows of the College, one a paediatrician and the other a consultant physician.