Donor Stories
Supporting Doernbecher is Child’s Play for the Olmsteds
Richard Olmsted, M.D., and his wife Barbara have devoted themselves to bettering the lives of children. A Connecticut native who can trace his ancestry back to the Mayflower, Dr. Olmsted served as chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at OHSU from 1962 until 1974. His professional education began with degrees from Dartmouth University and Harvard Medical School, with additional training at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and OHSU.
Dr. Olmsted’s decision to pursue a career in pediatrics came naturally. “I just liked kids,” he said. But, he added with characteristic candor, the process of elimination also played a role. “Many areas of medicine just didn’t appeal to me,” he said. “I can’t tie a knot, so I couldn’t be a surgeon. I couldn’t deliver babies, so that ruled out being an obstetrician. It kind of boiled down to kids, which turned out to be both fun and highly rewarding.”
During an accomplished career marked by numerous awards, honors and even a stint as associate director of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Olmsteds have lived and served in a variety of locations. However, upon retirement, they chose to re-settle in Oregon, enabling Dr. Olmsted to pursue his passionate interest in Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Still active in his 80s, he serves as an emeritus member of the Doernbecher Foundation Board of Directors and continues to accompany physicians and students on weekly grand rounds at the hospital.
It is quite an understatement to say the Olmsteds have done much to help Doernbecher over the years. But in December 2007, they decided to do even more. The Olmsteds established a charitable gift annuity for Doernbecher – the first such gift ever made directly through Doernbecher Foundation to benefit the hospital. The annuity will enable them to continue supporting Doernbecher’s work while generating a permanent income stream for the rest of their lives.
We are honored to salute the Olmsteds for making this forward-looking gesture. With their gift the Olmsteds are extending their lifelong commitment to the care of children well into the future.
Giving to Doernbecher is a family affair for Shirley Talkington
Shirley Talkington has enjoyed movies since she was young. While growing up in Salem, she fondly remembers spending time in Woodburn with her Uncle Buck and Aunty Gene. Together they would go to the movies on weekends and during summer vacation. “They were like a second set of parents to me,” she recalls.
Through the years, Shirley went on to earn her degree from the University of Oregon and move to Portland, where she worked for 25 years at the Port of Portland. When she retired in 1993, Shirley was the legal systems administrator for the Port.
Shirley’s interest in movies continued, and she remained close with her aunt and uncle until they passed away. After her Uncle Buck’s death in 1965, he made yet another lasting and positive impression on Shirley. “He left a significant sum of money to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in his will,” she says, “and he never once mentioned it prior to his death.” Like Shirley, Uncle Buck and Aunty Gene had no children of their own, but they loved children and chose to do something positive for the children of Oregon and Southwest Washington as part of their legacy.
In 1996, after careful consideration, Shirley also chose to make Doernbecher a major benefactor of her estate plan. Along with other interests that keep her busy, Shirley has been an active member of the Frank Doernbecher Guild which recognizes and honors those who have included Doernbecher in their plans. She loves the idea of supporting Doernbecher because, “I am in awe of what they do for the well-being of children.”
Today Shirley still sees lots of movies and particularly enjoys good foreign films. She says, “Maybe more people should try foreign films, but everyone should know about Doernbecher and all the excellent pediatric specialists that are there.” We think Uncle Buck and Aunty Gene would be proud.
