Personal Donor Stories

Dr. David Akers
Giving Back to a Place He Loved

Dr. David Akers grew up in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. At an early age he dreamed of becoming a physician and in the 1930’s entered the University of Colorado School of Medicine. There he trained to be a surgeon and also met and married his wife, Kiku “Kay” Nishimura, who was training to be a nurse.

During World War II, Dr. Akers served as a surgeon in the Army Air Corps. When he returned to Colorado, he came to The Children’s Hospital as a resident in pediatric surgery. From 1958 to 1968, Dr. Akers served as chief of surgical services at Children’s and is believed to have been the first surgeon in the entire state to limit his practice to the care of children. David and Kay Akers had no children but devoted their lives to the health of others’ children.

Both David and Kay lived well into their 90’s. Just a few years after his wife passed away and as his health declined, David began to consider a bequest to The Children’s Hospital and explored with Foundation staff the idea of an endowed chair in pediatric surgery. A year and a half after his death in 2005, Children’s celebrated the legacy that Dr. Akers left – the Dr. David R. and Kiku Akers Chair in Pediatric Surgery. This thoughtful gift pays tribute to Dr. Akers’ dedication to children and ensures that countless generations will continue to receive the best surgical care available.

Ron and Becky

Twenty years ago Ron was introduced to The Children’s Hospital when he participated in the annual Harley Davidson Toy Ride. Along with at least one thousand other Harley enthusiasts from the Rocky Mountain Harley Davidson Owners Group, Ron brought brisk December cheer to patients and their families by bearing gifts of toys for the holiday season.

Ron speaks proudly of the Harley Owners Group’s longstanding involvement with Children’s. Over the years the group has supported different services at the hospital such as the popular coffee cart, cable television, a monthly pizza night for families and of course the highly successful Harley Toy Ride.

When Ron and his wife Becky updated their estate plan two years ago, their thoughts turned to where their resources would do the most good. Fortunately for Children’s, Ron and Becky decided to revise their will to establish The Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary of their estate. They have designated their thoughtful bequest to assist needy families.

According to Ron, “Kids are neat. They are in their sweet years, so open and loving and giving. Becky and I know that all families don’t have the same ability to pay for their care. We take comfort that down the road our gift will help Children’s continue to provide its excellent care to all kids who need it.”

And the Harley? Ron still rides but admits that he prefers warm weather!