HOLLAND, Mich., April 20, 2026 — As National Volunteer Month continues throughout April, Holland Hospital is honoring the dedicated volunteers who sustain its mission. Among these essential individuals is Bob Ruddy, a volunteer whose contribution spans from the hospital’s retail operations to the keys of the lobby piano, where he provides a unique brand of musical comfort to all who enter.
For more than three years, Bob has been a familiar face at Holland Hospital, though his history with the organization runs much deeper. Before joining the volunteer team, Bob spent nine years as an employee in the Finance Department. Even after retiring from his professional role, his connection to the hospital remained. Today, he serves not only as a Coffee Cove volunteer but also as a donor who continues to invest in the health care facility he calls five-star.
“I wasn’t ready to be totally disconnected just because I wasn’t on the payroll anymore,” Bob shared. “I wanted to keep connected to the people I knew and stay part of this great health care facility.”
While Bob’s mornings are often spent at the Coffee Cove, where he enjoys the human personal interaction of learning an employee’s favorite drink order, his most profound impact is felt on Thursdays during the lunch hour. It is then that Bob sits down at the piano in the lobby, drawing on 60 years of musical experience to transform the hospital atmosphere.
His repertoire ranges from Whitney Houston and Broadway show tunes to 70s classics. Bob’s goal is simple: to promote healing and provide a diversion that takes people away somewhere else for a moment of peace. The power of his music was evident the day a young girl, visibly distressed by a family medical incident, approached him in the lobby. Recognizing him as a comforting presence, she asked if he could play “Clair de Lune,” one of her favorites.
“It was very moving because it just helped her get through her day and I could be a part of it,” Bob recalled. “I almost always walk out thinking that something unique and special happened that wouldn't have happened otherwise.”
The joy Bob brings is often met with surprise and laughter. He recalls a moment when a security guard burst out laughing as Bob played his rendition of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” to lighten the mood for staff waiting in line for lunch.
Holland Hospital is grateful for volunteers like Bob, who demonstrate that giving back can take many forms, whether through professional expertise, financial support, or a simple melody. His commitment ensures that for many, the first and last thing they experience at the hospital is a sense of warmth and community.
“You’ll be rewarded often and in ways you never would have dreamt of,” Bob says to those considering volunteering. “It adds quality to your life, always.”
Volunteers at Holland Hospital support a wide array of services, from assisting visitors with wayfinding and supporting clerical tasks to contributing to specialized clinical areas and retail operations.
“Volunteering is a vital part of how we deliver high-quality, compassionate care at Holland Hospital,” said Megan Kniaz, lead volunteer coordinator. “Whether they are former employees returning to give back or new faces, our volunteers provide invaluable support that lifts the spirits of our patients and staff alike. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of those who choose to invest their time and energy in our community.”
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Holland Hospital, visit hollandhospital.org/volunteer. For those who want to give back but are unable to volunteer, consider making a gift to support patient care and community programs. Learn more at hollandhospital.org/give.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jessica Meldrum, MS, APR
jmeldrum@hollandhospital.org
April 20, 2026