FLORAGRAPH MEMORY: Broomfield residents Rob Schuppert died at age 24. His likeness will be featured in a floragraph on the New Life Rises parade entry in the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Friday.
Source: Broomfield Enterprise
By: Bette Erickson
"I am such a huge advocate for organ and tissue donation," Bobbi Schuppert said on the phone Dec. 23, the day that would have been her son`s 37th birthday had he not died at age 24.
"I realize donating is a personal choice."
"I am such a huge advocate for organ and tissue donation," Bobbi Schuppert said on the phone Dec. 23, the day that would have been her son`s 37th birthday had he not died at age 24.
"I realize donating is a personal choice."
Formerly of Broomfield, she and her husband lost their son, Rob, to a pulmonary embolism in 1997, a month after a January car accident. Living in the Westlake subdivision at the time, she noted how losing Rob was difficult for the couple and his older sister, Tiki.
"Rob was such a giving person," Schuppert said, "And he`s still giving today -- that`s how amazing it is."
On New Year`s Day in Pasadena, Calif., Rob Schuppert will be represented alongside Joseph Templeton, another Colorado organ and tissue donor who died at age 22, and Manuel Salazar, whose life was saved by donated tissue.
Salazar, of Aurora, survived a devastating construction accident and now thrives as a quadruple amputee. Six years ago, Salazar`s life changed in an instant when a crane on a job site hit a power line, sending two 115,000 volts of electricity raging through his body. He survived, although his burns were life-threatening and required that his arms and legs be amputated.
On New Year`s Day in Pasadena, Calif., Rob Schuppert will be represented alongside Joseph Templeton, another Colorado organ and tissue donor who died at age 22, and Manuel Salazar, whose life was saved by donated tissue.
Salazar, of Aurora, survived a devastating construction accident and now thrives as a quadruple amputee. Six years ago, Salazar`s life changed in an instant when a crane on a job site hit a power line, sending two 115,000 volts of electricity raging through his body. He survived, although his burns were life-threatening and required that his arms and legs be amputated.
Salazar will ride in the 121st Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena as part of the 2010 Donate Life`s float entry -- New Life Rises.
While Schuppert and her husband, Al, who now live in Edgewater, will not be at the parade, she said she worked on some of the final details of the float`s floragraph of Rob. The floragraph is made from flowers, coffee grounds and other organic materials mirroring a portrait of her son Rob, Schuppert said. The New Life Rises parade entry features a phoenix -- the mythical symbol of life coming out of death -- rising into the sky, representing those who give life in their death and the people whose lives are renewed by their gifts.
"It is a very emotional thing for us, even after 13 years," Schuppert said. "It`s an honor for our family and another way to say think about donation.
"We know Rob would have supported this. He loved to give -- he would give to others and not expect anything in return."
Rick Miller, director of Dignity Memorial providers in Denver, said "It is such a privilege for us to honor Rob`s life and legacy by highlighting the choice his parents made to help other families in need. Working in the funeral profession, it is wonderful to have this opportunity to recognize the gift of life that one person`s donation can give to so many others."
The two-hour parade, which will follow a 5½-mile route, will be broadcast on NBC beginning at 9 a.m. Friday.
"We feel Rob would revel in all this," his mom said. "Being an organ and tissue donor is an example of how in life we can make a difference to someone when we die."
1 comment:
Rob was a good friend of mine since 3rd grade along with all the others from the "westlake village" crowd. I can't believe it's been this long since his death.....he was too young.
Ry Beckloff
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