NEWS & UPDATES
Remembering Two Visionary Philanthropists
In Memory of Beatrice( Bea) B. Taplin 1924 – 2025
Bea began a lifelong journey with Children’ s Hospital Colorado in the 1950s, when she served as a young pediatric nurse. She maintained a strong connection to the children and families served by Children’ s Colorado long after her nursing career ended and was a generous and committed supporter of our mission for more than seven decades.
Bea invested more than $ 23 million to support the hospital in her lifetime. Over many decades, she generously donated to nursing, pediatric cancer, community health initiatives, and the greatest needs of the hospital. After serving on the Children’ s Colorado Board of Directors from 1967-1984, she was appointed a Children’ s Colorado Lifetime Director in 2009.
In 1998, she and her husband, Thomas, established the Children’ s Hospital Colorado Chair in Pediatric Nursing, the first of four chairs they endowed at the hospital. Bea was also one of the first donors to make a significant gift in support of COVID relief in 2019.
In Memory of Robert J. Clark 1945 – 2025
We mourn the passing of Robert J. Clark, a generous philanthropist and former Children’ s Hospital Colorado Foundation Trustee( 2012- 2021). Bob’ s passion for children and his commitment to pediatric healthcare were inspired by his experience as a grateful grandfather.
Bob and his wife Kathy supported Children’ s Colorado for over 25 years. Together, they established the Robert J. and Kathleen A. Clark Endowed Chair for Pediatric Cancer Therapeutics in 2023, held by Maureen O’ Brien, MD, MS. In 2022, they endowed the first fellowship for child and adolescent psychiatry nurse practitioners in the history of Children’ s Colorado, the Clark Family Endowed Fellowship Fund, to expand the youth mental health workforce and reach more children in need of mental health services.
Bea was strong-willed and passionate until her death, and that energy served Children’ s Colorado for decades throughout her life. Bob led with heart and conviction and was a respected voice on our Board for nearly a decade. These two leaders’ dedication to Children’ s Colorado only grew stronger over the years, and we are profoundly grateful for their generosity and compassion, which will always be remembered.”
– JENNIFER ROE DARLING, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CHILDREN’ S HOSPITAL COLORADO FOUNDATION
2 CHANGEMAKERS