both states. That’s exactly what
happened on January 3, 2018.
Unfortunately, the 82-year-old was
not able to see his dream come true.
Bob died of cancer two months before
the scheduled launch. His lifelong
friends, the Wurst family, represented
him at the unveiling at Kapi‘olani and
2-year-old Beatrice was the train’s
first passenger.
The Wurst ‘ohana
with Kapi‘olani
CEO Martha Smith
and one of the new
discharge trains.
“To see my daughter filled with joy in the
train as she was going down the hallway
and to think she is the first of countless
children who are going to be doing this
is touching,” Barry Wurst II said. “This is
exactly what Bob wanted.”
For Barry, Julia and Beatrice, returning
to Kapi‘olani brought their story full
circle. Bob’s trains will also bring closure
to many who experience it.
“Bob will always be remembered for this
unique gift,” Martha said. “Bob also
allowed us to share the aloha spirit with
Levine Children’s Hospital. Both of our
facilities are focused on helping kids
get healthy and these discharge trains
set the tone of being on the right track
when they leave us.”
Bob also made significant donations to
Kapi‘olani to support pediatric oncology
and women’s health, primarily ovarian
cancer treatment. With all of his gifts,
Bob leaves behind quite a legacy at
Kapi‘olani and in Hawai‘i.
“It’s amazing that somebody could spend
so much of his time giving,” Barry Wurst
II said. “It’s very easy in this life to take
and with Bob, he wanted so much to
give. He took such great satisfaction in
it to a really remarkable degree.”
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