Gene the Pumpkin Man Donor Advised Fund
For 68 years, from 1957 to 2024, Gene the Pumpkin Man welcomed customers to the family farm to search for the perfect pumpkin. His booming voice and infectious laugh quickly turned customers into friends. He loved meeting new people, telling stories, and seeing returning friends year after year.
Gene was born at Bronson Methodist Hospital in 1936. He was named Myron Eugene Rhodes after his grandfather Myron, who purchased the farm in 1885. To avoid confusion, it was soon determined he would go by “Gene”, which is fortunate because “Myron the Pumpkin Man” doesn’t have the same ring to it! Thus began a lifelong relationship with Bronson that spanned the entirety of his 88 years.
He trusted Bronson to help him and his wife Carol when they each needed treatment at the West Michigan Cancer Center and Bronson Methodist Hospital. Eventually, Carol lost her battle with cancer and Gene decided to honor her by volunteering at the Cancer Center. He would drive his orange car and wear his orange hat to sit in the lobby and greet patients as they entered. He hoped his welcoming smile and words of encouragement brightened an otherwise difficult experience. As chronic health issues accumulated with age stays at the hospital became more frequent. After wise counsel from his doctors, the family took him home to the farm where he died peacefully, just as he always hoped to.
In his conversations about life and his eventual passing, Gene asked that the family consider ways to continue to help the greater Kalamazoo community after he passed. He was heavily involved with the West Oshtemo Grange #1630, which promotes social welfare through service, education, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy, and agricultural awareness. He was also fiercely loyal to Bronson and acutely aware that good health is a blessing and local access to healthcare is crucial when illness arrives. We hope to honor Gene by extending Bronson’s ability to deliver quality, affordable, local care to all patients.
Gene’s children will serve as advisors to the fund. The family looks forward to working with Bronson to support cancer, cardiac, and other critical healthcare needs. They will also look for opportunities to help brighten patient experiences, just like a visit to the farm made life a little more fun.
If you wish to make a gift, you may use the online form below. If you would like to mail a check, please make it out to “Bronson Health Foundation” and in the memo line include "Gene the Pumpkin Man DAF".
If you need further assistance or would like to make your gift over the phone, you can reach Bronson Health Foundation at (269) 341-8100 or healthfoundation@bronsonhg.org.
