Koop Just What Fund-Raiser for Hospice Needed

SAN DIEGO —  Wearing the instantly recognizable, steel gray beard that makes him look a cross between Abraham Lincoln and Captain Ahab, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop marched into the Admiral Suite at the San Diego Marriott, cast a stern eye over the crowd and then relaxed when asked if he really liked to be called “Chick.” He does.

Among those invited to address Koop by his nickname last Saturday were philanthropist Joan Kroc and banker Gordon Luce, who served as general chairman and dinner chairman of the San Diego Hospice testimonial at which Koop was presented the institution’s Humanitarian of the Year award.

Invitations to the private, predinner reception were limited to about 50 or so top patrons of the fund-raiser, which broke its own records by attracting nearly 800 guests and raising more than $195,000 for the acute-care center. Karon Luce, who coached her husband on a few party-giving details, said of the event: “It was the easiest sell in town, not just because everybody wanted to hear Dr. Koop, but because it’s such a wonderful charity. Anybody may need to use the hospice one day.”

Koop, who spent part of the day visiting a home-bound hospice patient before cruising on Kroc’s yacht (Kroc is largely underwriting the cost of building the facility, under construction on Vauclain Point) and changing into black tie for the dinner, was described as “so accommodating” by hospice foundation board chairman Murray Galinson.

“I just met Dr. Koop this morning, and what a delightful human being he is,” Galinson said. “He’s so caring, it’s a delight to be in his presence.”

One of those so delighted was columnist Abigail Van Buren, perhaps better known as Dear Abby, who advised Koop to continue to counsel the country on its major health concerns. Among others with whom Koop chatted quietly were his wife, Betty, Kim and Marilyn Fletcher, Iris and Matthew Strauss, Malin and Roberta Burnham, Anne and Bill Otterson, Peggy and Peter Preuss and 1988 Humanitarian of the Year Bill Cleator with his wife, Marilyn.

The accolades flowed at the dinner proper, which jammed the San Diego Ballroom with an over-flow crowd that applauded when Rabbi Michael Sternfield said that Koop has “the passion of the ancient prophets,” and again when Mayor Maureen O’Connor, referring to the former surgeon general’s outspoken efforts against the AIDS epidemic, called him “one of the courageous leaders of our time.”

After an interlude filled by the Steven Spencer Orchestra, a chicken Wellington and bananas Foster dinner and a video presentation that featured remarks by Ronald Reagan, Jonas Salk and Barbara Walters, Koop managed to get the last word.

Having just accepted the award presented by Kroc, Koop said that he had never considered himself a humanitarian, but allowed that the shoe probably fit. He spoke at length about his landmark career as the first surgeon to limit himself to a children’s practice (it was said earlier that his proudest moment came when he separated a set of Siamese twins and “allowed them to lead lives of their own”), and as one of the first doctors to recognize that children can develop cancer.

But he added that he did regard his eight years in Washington as the topper to it all.

“I had a marvelous career as a pediatric surgeon that I thought nothing could beat,” said Koop, “but my time as surgeon general did.”

Among those joining in the standing ovation that followed were Roger and Ellen Revelle, John and Marcia Trombold, master interior decorator Steve Chase (who has charge of Joan Kroc’s new North County mansion); weight-loss czarina Jenny Craig and her husband, Sid; Doug and Betsy Manchester; Frank and Lee Goldberg; Dean and Marie Dunphy; Cliff and Ruth Grobstein, and Joan Embery, who brought along a toucan from the San Diego Zoo.

The Koop testimonial was the second such event to break its own records last week.

On Thursday, a local Who’s Who roster of nearly 800 turned out at the San Diego Hilton to honor Larry and Junko Cushman at the 13th annual “A Tribute to the Golden Years” dinner, given by Senior Adult Services to benefit its countywide Meals-on-Wheels program.

Sally Thornton, who co-chaired the event with her husband, John, said “We’ve broken all records for Meals-on-Wheels dinners, and I understand the Hilton has never served so many meals to one group. And we expect tonight to be our most financially successful.” Proceeds were expected to exceed $125,000.

The guests seemed inclined to grant the records, but to dispute their exact cause. Overall credit was given to the honorees, although Larry Cushman, a member of one of the county’s oldest families, said, “I’m pleased to be here tonight, but you know, they’re not here for us, they’re here for Meals-on-Wheels.”

Tawfiq Khoury, with his wife, Richel, a long-time pal of the Cushmans, disagreed. “These two people not only give money, which is the easiest thing you can give, but they give of themselves.” (Marion Bourland added another point of view, saying, “The real reason the Cushmans are being honored is because they’re so damn cute!”)

The disagreements ended, however, when Carrie Nordby, a 100-year-old Norwegian immigrant and a current Meals-on-Wheels client, was invited to the podium.

“Meals-on-Wheels keeps me happy,” she said in a fluttery but clear voice that resounded through the room. “To see those bright faces bringing in those meals just makes my day every day.”

Meals program executive director Barbara Bright said that about 300,000 hot lunches and cold suppers are delivered annually, by a volunteer force that numbers roughly 1,600, to several thousand seniors who no longer can cook for themselves. The program receives no public funds, and is supported by donations and by subsidized fees from clients who can afford to pay; those who cannot afford the service receive it free.

“Seniors stay independent because of San Diegans helping San Diegans,” Bright said. “The proceeds we earn tonight will keep our meals program on wheels.”

The Cushmans’ many civic ties and their intercultural marriage (Junko was born in Japan’s Nagano prefecture; her parents, Takehiko and Yaeko Sano, flew over for the event) were represented by the ecumenical nature of the event. Rev. Akio Miyaji, minister of the Buddhist Temple of San Diego, offered the invocation, and Rabbi Lenore Bohm of Temple Solel in Encinitas the blessing over the meal. Msgr. Joseph Carroll of the St. Vincent de Paul Center gave the benediction as a special favor to Larry Cushman, who is chairman of the center’s board.

In his acceptance of the tribute, Cushman told the audience, “We are all here tonight because we believe in the same value of caring for the seniors in our community. They all are members of our extended family.”

However, it fell to Junko Cushman to bring down the house. “For my old age, I have a plan,” she teased. “No. 1, I’ll get a face lift. No. 2, I’ll get Meals-on-Wheels. And No. 3, if my husband ever falls in love with someone younger and prettier, I’ll do the same!”

The guest list included Helen and Elliott Cushman, Richard and Harriet Levi, Liz and Joe Yamada, Norma and Sam Assam, City Councilmen Wes Pratt, Ron Roberts and Bruce Henderson; Ross and Betty Tharp; Barbara Bry and Patrick Kruer; Lillian and William Fishman; Carol and Mike Alessio; Norma Hirsh; Jan Madigan, and Joy and Merl Ledford.