SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL RECEIVES A GIFT OF MORE THAN $500,000

A longtime friend of Southeast Missouri Hospital has left the hospital's foundation a legacy of more than a half-million dollars.

A check for $531,116 was presented to the foundation Friday by Carol Rapp Bumb, daughter of the late Dorothy Rapp-Mitchell, on behalf of herself and her brother, Charles Rapp of Nashville, Tenn.

The money represents a gift of life insurance presented by Rapp-Mitchell to the foundation several years ago.

Foundation Executive Director J. Charles Stotz said the planned gift will help assure quality health care at the hospital.

"The future is uncertain, especially in health care," said Stotz. "New technology, community growth, increasing patient services needed and reduction of appropriate governmental support for hospital operational needs require strong personal commitments to assure the future of Southeast."

Rapp-Mitchell died July 19, 1993, in Cape Girardeau. She was 74. Her association with Southeast began in 1954 and included service with the Hospital Auxiliary, the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association and the hospital's Board of Trustees.

In 1991, she became the founding contributor of the foundation's new 21st Century Partners planned giving program. In helping to establish the program, Rapp-Mitchell said, "My first love is the medical field. I have watched Southeast Missouri Hospital grow for more than 35 years, and I've been privileged to participate in its growth."

A native of St. Louis, Rapp-Mitchell had been a part of Cape Girardeau's civic and medical community since 1954 when her late husband, Dr. Harold B. Rapp, began his radiology practice in Cape Girardeau.

Her affiliation with Southeast began soon after she joined the hospital auxiliary. Her service to that organization included holding the offices of president, vice president and treasurer. She also donated hundreds of hours as a hospital volunteer.

In 1978, she joined the Southeast Missouri Hospital Association and, in 1984, was elected to the hospital Board of Trustees. Most recently she was an honorary member of that board.

In addition to her son and daughter, Rapp-Mitchell is survived by her husband, Arthur F. Mitchell, a stepdaughter, Jeri Becker, LaVerne, Calif.; one granddaughter and two step-grandchildren.