Doylestown Health welcomed members of the Byers family Aug. 27, for a private dedication of the Byers Reflection Garden and the sculpture at its center, “Dance of the Cranes,” outside the newly opened Cardiovascular and Critical Care Pavilion at Doylestown Hospital.
Joyce and Bob Byers of Byers’ Choice Ltd. in Chalfont have been outstanding supporters of Doylestown Health in many ways for more than 30 years, most recently in donating custom-made personal protective equipment (PPE) during the height of the pandemic.
Joyce Byers and her sons, Bob Byers Jr. and Jeff Byers, were in attendance to represent the family. Bob Byers Jr. spoke briefly to thank Doylestown Health both about the inspiration to contribute and name the reflection garden, and for the many dedicated health care workers serving the health and wellbeing of the community.
Jim Brexler, president and CEO, spoke to the Byers family at the dedication. “You have quietly but very consistently been one of the greatest families of support in our community. So, we wanted to say thank you with this special ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
About the dedication of the sculpture and the reflection garden, Brexler said, “It’s an appreciation of you and your dedication to us over many years.”
Bob Byers Jr. said, “We love the statue because it’s soaring and showing what the potential is. In that, we think this is the perfect place for it.”
The Rev. Maggie Ainslie, director of Pastoral Care at Doylestown Health, was present to dedicate the garden and offer a prayer. She recalled a line attributed to Martin Luther King Jr.: “‘Even if I were certain that the world would end tomorrow, I would plant a tree this very day.’ I think that’s what you’ve done. You and this hospital have said, we’re going to do some tree-planting. We’re going to plant a tree that will grow beyond our time here and that’s exactly what I see in this sculpture, in this garden, and in these people gathered here.”
Designed by sculptor and art collector John Raimondi of Palm Beach, Fla., “Dance of the Cranes” is a celebration of the sandhill crane — native to Nebraska — and the Native American peoples to whom the bird is of cultural significance. The original stands 60 feet tall at the entrance of the Omaha International Airport, and is one of the tallest bronze sculptures in the United States. Raimondi made several copies, including the one now located at Doylestown Hospital.
Bob Byers purchased the sculpture in 1994 and installed it in the sculpture gardens at the Byers’ Choice Ltd. headquarters. It was then donated to Doylestown Health to stand as the focal point of the new reflection garden planned for the Cardiovascular and Critical Care Pavilion. The sculpture was refinished and installed over the summer.
Joyce and Bob Byers and their family are leadership donors of ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health.
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