Richmond Hospital’s first baby uncovers family surprise

“I was treated like a queen,” says 81-year-old Nelly de Boer reflecting on the birth of her son Bob in 1966. Bob was the first baby born at Richmond Hospital, arriving 10 days earlier than expected, on March 17. “St. Patrick’s Day,” says Bob, who is on the cusp of turning 50.

Nelly and her husband Gerry were familiar with maternity wards because their four older children had been born in Vancouver. The reason the couple opted to deliver baby No. 5 at Richmond Hospital was logical. “We were living in Richmond, and the doctor was in Richmond,” says Nelly.

“Everything was beautiful,” she says, recalling the experience, and the gifts from local merchants were plentiful. There were flowers, fruit baskets, dinners, and a hand-knit shawl, as well as free haircuts, dry cleaning and diapers.

“We didn’t have to buy any diapers for about six moths,” recalls 84-year-old Gerry.

It’s “go” time for hospital staff

“With Bob, it was very quiet,” says Nelly referencing the maternity ward. It turns out that while the hospital officially opened on February 26, 1966, the first patient wasn’t admitted until March 17 – and the de Boer family was admitted later that day. The hospital’s second baby didn’t arrive for another few days.

“People were very nervous,” recalls Gerry. “The receptionist was trying to start up the computer and it didn’t work – they were more nervous than we were,” he recounts.

A pleasant surprise

“I think I might have been the only [sibling] born at Richmond Hospital,” says Bob, who is eventually corrected by his father who had dug up his children’s birth records. “All the other kids were born in Richmond,” Gerry announces.

“Holy moly, we didn’t realize this!” says Bob, upon seeing his siblings’ birth records for the first time.

When the de Boer’s sixth child, a son named John, came along about a year-and-a-half later, the hospital was somewhat different. “It was busy,” says Nelly. The de Boers went on to welcome Frances, Trudy, Michael, Anthony and Paul also at Richmond Hospital despite having moved to Ladner, where there wasn’t a hospital at that time.

Today, Nelly and Gerry have 23 grandchildren and they live in Surrey, as does Bob and his wife, Tammy.

Celebrate RH’s 50th and win a trip!

As part of Richmond Hospital’s 50th Anniversary celebration, the Richmond Hospital Foundation is raffling-off one pair of Westjet tickets to wherever the airline flies. Tickets are $20 each, and you may purchase as many as you like. They can be purchased at the foundation office. The winner will be announced on Friday, February 26.