Meet Our Donors
Bruce Baky in the center of his Revolutionary War reenactment organization, the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment at the Arc de Triumphe in Paris, France.
A Decisive Encounter at Gettysburg
On July 1, 1863, two great armies swept through the campus on what was then Pennsylvania College and later, Gettysburg College. It was the first day of the momentous Battle of Gettysburg. It would prove to be the decisive encounter that determined the outcome of the Civil War. It was also at Gettysburg College that Sherrin Hilburt met Bruce Baky in a fortuitous way. "It was in a freshman Bible class", she recalled. "I was rushing in and promptly spilled ink on his foot". That embarrassing encounter, though awkward, was equally decisive - they would marry nine months after graduation.
Bruce, a history major, was admittedly someone who should have been born during the Revolutionary War. Not only did he command a vast knowledge of that period of American history, but he also personified it when he donned the uniform of a Continental Army officer. "He looked like he stepped out of an 18th-century painting," commented Tom McGuire, author and fellow member of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, a Revolutionary War reenactment organization. "He carried himself as an officer with a great deal of dignity and no snobbery. You would gladly follow him into war." Bruce actually served as a second lieutenant in the Army following graduation, spending time with the NATO forces in West Germany and at Fort Riley in Kansas. As a civilian, he ran his own business and held executive positions with several banks.
Sherrin Baky in her Bryn Mawr home surrounded by Revolutionary War memorabilia.
Sherrin, on the other hand, majored in biology. And it was that interest that would eventually connect her with Lankenau Medical Center. Following graduation she applied, and was accepted, for an internship in Lankenau's medical technology program. However, since it was a non-paying internship, for economic reasons she needed to accept a position as a researcher in a pharmaceutical company. It proved to be a successful and rewarding career, mainly in the field of cardiology. She formed a partnership and grew a company that managed clinical trials for the drug and device industries. Following its sale, she tried retirement for 6 months, but realized she wanted to give something back and became head of the worldwide association of clinical research professionals. Now retired again, she is happy to give her time to various organizations.
Describing themselves as "house hoppers", Sherrin and Bruce moved about over the years living in California and northern New Jersey. In 1998 they moved to Pennsylvania. It was then that Sherrin met Catalina Hallowell, President of John B. Deaver Auxiliary, and Peggy Cristofalo who were instrumental in getting her involved in becoming a volunteer at Lankenau. She gladly accepted their invitation and has enjoyed her activity ever since. "Everyone seems to be so committed to what they are doing and it's great being a part of it."
Having no children, Bruce and Sherrin devoted themselves to the institutions and organizations they loved. Bruce promoted and strengthened the Friends of Valley Forge National Historical Park, significantly expanding the membership. And Sherrin has "given back" to her alma mater by serving as a trustee at Gettysburg College. Together, they showed their appreciation for Lankenau by including the Medical Center in their estate plans.
Unfortunately, the relationship that began at Gettysburg was cut short when Bruce passed away in October 2007. The void he left is considerable and Sherrin is grateful for the opportunity to occupy herself with volunteer responsibilities at Lankenau. Yet, the mere recall of their first encounter and the ink spilling incident still brings a smile to her face.