Hospital chaplain comforted grieving families for 34 years

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Staff Writer Updated 12:47 AM Wednesday, July 1, 2009

To earn money while a Wright State University education major in the late 1960s, Bobbie Predmore snapped photos of newborns as keepsakes for their proud parents.

Her lifetime calling, it turned out, would focus on those same elements — the hospital, the children, the concerned and loving moms and dads.

After 34 years as chaplain/manager of pastoral care for the Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, the Rev. Predmore — known to all as “Bobbie” — retired on Tuesday, June 30. Tearful staffers and volunteers provided the appropriate cake, gifts and touching send-off; Predmore and 14 friends left the hospital in a Hummer limousine headed for Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District.

“We’re piling in that sucker and I’m going out in style,” quipped the ordained United Church of Christ minister, best known for her sense of humor and frank language.

Greg Ramey, vice president of outpatient services, said Predmore has spent 34 years walking into emergency rooms without knowing what she was going to confront, and 34 years holding the hands of parents who were uncertain whether their child was going to live or die.

“Bobbie was a guardian angel who helped our family through the lowest point in our lives,” said Angel Wooten of Urbana, whose 3-year-old son was in and out of the hospital constantly before he died. “Bobbie was always there, she made us laugh.”

Telecommunications staffer Ginny Luken wanted to make certain she had Predmore’s home phone number before she left the hospital. “Someday I want you to preach (at) my funeral,” Luken said.

Quipped Predmore: “What date did you have in mind?”

Keep reading: Chaplain's job taught her the art of living

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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