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From the very first week the hospital opened, Elaine Kuper has What postings have you enjoyed the most?
been a vital part of the life force of Texas Children’s. Her dedica-
tion never wavered, and she rarely missed a day at her assign- My absolute favorite was the information desk.
ments in 61 years of service to the hospital. It was so exciting; no two days were ever the
same. I love to help people, and each week we
A fount of information, Kuper is a walking archive of the hos- had new challenges. I even took college cours-
pital’s history. Her razor-sharp memory and equally honed wit have es in Spanish to be able to help those who
made her an indispensable treasure to other volunteers, physi- could not speak English.
cians, staff and patients.
I also liked giving tours to adults and
As the hospital evolved, Kuper changed too, remaining flexible students, and I enjoyed being tour chairman
and eager to offer help in any way she could. She learned new several times. I was able to take them to see
skills, throwing herself into each job with equal parts enthusiasm David the Bubble Boy, and we could watch
and dedication. Dr. Denton Cooley do open heart surgery.
We toured the children’s lab and radiology
When her first job in the hospital snack bar was phased out, and watched MRIs. At the end of the tour, we
Kuper began working at the information desk. She then assisted went through the kitchen, and each child re-
on the business side in Volunteer Services. ceived a warm cookie.
What was your first volunteer job You’ve had such a huge impact on so many
at Texas Children’s? children and families. Does one child in
I started in the snack bar selling sandwiches, particular have a special place in your heart?
coffee and soft drinks. The snack bar was fair-
ly small — just five stools — and on the other David the Bubble Boy was so dear to me. I
side of the room we sold gifts. met him and his family when I took children
on tours, and I became a friend of the family.
You played a big part in the early days I liked to sit by his enclosure and talk to him
of Watch, didn’t you? and his mother and sister.
I was circulation manager of Watch for more
than years. I brought a crew together for We know you’re a dedicated volunteer. What
each issue, and we prepared thousands of mag- else can you tell us about Elaine Kuper?
azines for mailing — by hand. I am probably
the only person who has every issue of Watch. When Lamar High School opened in , I
was one of the first students to enter the
school. After graduating, I managed the shoe
department at The Fashion, a specialty store
on Main Street. I met my husband, Harry, at
a dance at the Rice Hotel. We were married for
years until his death years ago.
Harry served in the Army Air Force in
WWII for four years. After the war, he con-
’ 
