We are very proud to welcome Joshua Christopher Dennis Pattinson to the family. He is the first grandchild of our beloved founder, Barbara Hurd. Joshua was conceived as a loving tribute to his “Momma”, Barbara, who passed away from cancer in 2010. We know that she would have been over the moon to know that this day had finally come. She always said that she would have “one last grandchild” before she died, and she did not disappoint.

Born and raised in Helena, Montana, Josh went on to graduate from University of Montana in August 2018 with a degree in History. In the meantime, he had spent the past year working as a lifeguard on the beaches of Lake Michigan near Chicago. After receiving his degree, he plans to continue studying at the graduate level and eventually teach high school history. He has a passion for history and a desire to share his love of learning with others.

When Barbara Hurd established our family foundation in 1980, she made it a point to support projects that helped children and families affected by cancer. In keeping with her wishes, we are thrilled to unveil the Barbara Hurd Junior Chair in Pediatric Oncology at the University of Chicago. We could not think of a more fitting way to commemorate the life and memory of our beloved founder, Barbara Hurd, who passed away in November 2017, than to create a new chair in her name.

In addition to the Barbara Hurd Junior Chair in Pediatric Oncology, we will establish a Barbara Hurd Professorship in the History of Cancer in the United States. As a tribute to her memory and in keeping with her wishes, the chair will be named the Barbara Hurd Professorship and will be endowed with a $500,000 gift to create endowments that will support students in the area of career development and research. We hope that this new chair will allow for the advancement of knowledge in this significant area of pediatric oncology, and we are honored to carry on Barbara’s legacy.

The chair is endowed with a $500,000 gift to support students in the area of career development and research. We hope that this new chair will allow for the advancement of knowledge in this significant area of pediatric oncology, and we are honored to carry on Barbara’s legacy.

An Outstanding Grandparent

Apart from being an outstanding grandchild, Joshua Christopher Dennis Pattinson is also an outstanding grandparent. From the very beginning, he was a constant source of comfort and joy for his granny, Barbara, and our entire family. He was born on Valentine’s Day 2018, and Barbara passed away three weeks later on March 14th, leaving us with a huge hole in our hearts. We miss her dearly, but we are so proud that she got to see such an incredible child and witness his joyous entrance into the world. He quickly stole our hearts, as well as those of his parents, Gina and Chris, which we are blessed to have. Even now, a year later, he gives us reason to smile. It is difficult to imagine our life without him. He would always help us out with our chores, give us good advice, and make us laugh. We could not ask for a better grandchild. He is a wonderful addition to our family, and we could not be more grateful to God for giving us that little boy.

A Talent For Tennis

While we were fortunate enough to meet many talented people in our life, we were not blessed with extraordinary talent in the areas of sports or an outdoors hobby. Josh did not inherit his baseball or football skills from us, but he does have a talent for tennis that we are exceedingly proud of. In fact, he is a bit of a prodigy and has won several matches against much older kids. He has a real passion for the game and spends a lot of time honing his craft. He also plays soccer, basketball, and golf, and he is a member of several youth tennis leagues. In the summer, he goes to camp and plays tennis there. He has a sweet, smile that easily lights up the room, and his cheerful disposition is contagious. He is a joy to be around and always makes us laugh. He is full of life and has an endless supply of energy. We are glad to have him as part of our family.

An Outstanding Student

As if being a grandparent, being an outstanding student, and being talented in several athletic areas were not enough, Josh also has an outstanding grade point average and is a member of several honor societies. He is an outstanding student and a hard worker. He shows an incredible amount of initiative and is always looking for ways to better his academic standing. He could easily be a candidate for a Rhodes Scholarship, and we are proud to have such a brilliant young man in our family.

An Outstanding Brother

As one of our four children who is a practicing attorney, we expect a lot from Josh. After all, he is the first member of our family to graduate college, and we could not be more proud of him. He also does not disappoint in the loyalty department, as he is a very close brother to his other three siblings, Jonathan, Emily, and Elizabeth. Even now, a year removed from graduating, he continues to be an active part of the family and takes pride in being a Hurd. He has established himself as an exceptional student and role model and is an invaluable asset to our family. He is such a giving person, and he is always trying to help others. We could not be more proud of this young man.

A Sense Of Humor

Of all the things we love about Josh, his humor is probably the most endearing. He has a dry wit and a very playful nature. We can always count on him to make us smile. It does not hurt that he is incredibly handsome, either. While many people are attracted to his charm, we are fortunate to have someone in our family who is so kind-hearted and has a heart of gold. Even now, a year after graduating, he still finds ways to make us laugh. We have many photos of him with a big grin on his face, which makes us feel like he is constantly reminding us that everything is going to be okay. He has such a kind and loving heart. We are glad that we are able to keep him close and give him the affection that he so richly deserves. Thank you, Jesus!

Apart from being an outstanding grandchild, Joshua Christopher Dennis Pattinson is also an outstanding student and a sense of humor. He is an extraordinary gift from God and an endless source of pride and joy for us, as his “Momma”, Barbara, would say. We could not be more proud of him and what he has accomplished. He is the first member of our family to graduate college, and we could not be more grateful to God for allowing us to be a part of his tremendous life journey. We love you, sweetie! Thank you for being you!