St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital has been richly blessed since it opened its doors to “all of God’s children” in 1954. Support from our community comes in many forms, and we are dedicated to turning each and every gift – no matter the size – into stories of hope and healing for people from all walks of life.
Each year we receive gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations who have been touched by St. Luke’s in some way. Curt and Marty Ball have made such a gift every year since 1989, and they were kind enough to share their St. Luke’s story with us.
When we spoke, the Balls had just returned from a cruise down the Danube River. “We took in the traditional Christmas markets in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic,” says Curt. “Marty loves to shop, and we both enjoy historical sites, so this was the perfect combination.”
This is only the latest in a series of travels that have taken the couple from the northernmost tips of Europe and the United States to Australia, New Zealand, and even a six-week business posting in Romania, “before the fall of the Iron Curtain,” adds Marty, with a laugh. “Now THAT was an adventure!”
The couple is very thankful for their active retirement years. “We have been greatly blessed,” says Curt, “and St. Luke’s has been one of our greatest blessings.” Both Marty and Curt have undergone heart procedures at St. Luke’s. His was a quadruple bypass performed by Dr. O.H. “Bud” Frazier in 1989. Hers was a cardiac stent implanted by Dr. Mark Schnee a few years later. In both cases, St. Luke’s careful and competent staff impressed them.
“As soon as he was out of the ICU after his bypass, Curt wanted to go home,” remembers Marty. “There was one nurse in particular who set him straight. She told him very gently but firmly that he could not go home until he could walk a mile. That got him up and moving and he’s been going ever since.”
When it came time for Marty’s procedure, the couple trusted their hearts to St. Luke’s once again. They did quite a bit of research into cardiac stents beforehand and came to the doctors with questions and suggestions. “They listened to us and respected our requests,” says Curt.
In this way, St. Luke’s added a much-needed human touch to the Balls’ healthcare. “Patient care, helping people is the goal at St. Luke’s, and from what I’ve seen – in both our own case and with our friends and acquaintances – the folks at St. Luke’s keep their eye on that target,” he adds.
Both Curt and Marty have a keen and observant eye for quality products and quality people – a fact that makes their giving to St. Luke’s all the more significant. Curt holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M and retired from ExxonMobil after 36 years and many industry accolades. In his second career as an independent Quality Assurance Consultant specializing in valves and piping, he consulted with companies around the world.
Marty attended Southwest Texas Teachers’ College (now Texas State University) and worked for 15 years in the Baytown, Texas schools. She found particular joy in tutoring children from other countries in English and in raising their three children, all of whom graduated from Baylor University and have families of their own.
“It’s thanks to St. Luke’s healthcare that we’ve been able to enjoy our lives to the fullest,” says Curt. “It was only natural and right to give back to the organization that has given us so much.” The Balls have designated their annual gifts in honor of their doctors and the St. Luke’s nursing program. “We are so thankful and happy to make what contribution we can to a place we believe in,” adds Marty.
St. Luke’s is honored by the Balls’ heartfelt support and is grateful for their kindness and their generosity. We also wish them “bon voyage” on their future travels. “I’ve always wanted to ‘round the horn’,” says Curt. May that trip to the southern tip of South America be one of many adventures to come for this spirited couple.
By Katy Butterwick
