September 11, 1968

RALPH K. HUBBARD -- NAME IS SYNONYMOUS WITH HOSPITAL
by Marion H. Norton

Hubbard Regional Hospital is the new title for the 39-year-old former Webster District Hospital. Area residents already have adjusted to the designation, because since the beginning the hospital has been synonymous with the name of Ralph K. Hubbard, who with his family has been its greatest benefactor. But this is not alone the reason for so honoring the industrialist, businessman, and banker, who in earlier years was so active in the life of Webster and Dudley that he was often called "first citizen".

When people reach the time that they no longer pursue a vigorous business, civic and social life, their names tend to drop from the news and from the attention of fellow citizens. New generations growing up within the area and newcomers have little way of knowing how much these older residents have contributed of time, energy and ability in making the community a better place to live. Although Mr. Hubbard and his quiet, gracious wife still maintain interest in the hospital, church, and some business activity, their participation in affairs outside their family have been more limited in recent years.

PACKARD MILLS

Dedication of the hospital to a name that will perpetuate the memory of the Hubbard family gives opportunity for a partial review of some of the contributions and activities that have made Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard such highly respected citizens of our community. Strangely enough, research failed to turn up any single listing of Mr. Hubbard's many accomplishments and divergent affiliations, though his membership and activity in business, industrial, banking, school, hospital, and social organizations is an unusually long one. Thus, much of what is written will be from personal recollection of what the Hubbards have meant to Webster and Dudley during their 47 years of residency here.

In 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard came to Webster from New Hampshire, having bought the former Merritt Woolen Mill, name of which was changed to Packard Mills, Inc. Ralph, who was treasurer of the firm, served as general manager and brought the mills to unusual prosperity, surviving the Depression of the 1930's at a time when other small firms were falling by the wayside. Many additions were made to the properties, including new buildings, separate office, and large warehouse. Production and number of employees more than doubled as Packard's reached a peak of prosperity in the 1950's.

CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

A division of the firm was established at Caryville in 1939. Excellent management - labor relations were the hallmark of this industry during all its years under Mr. Hubbard, who was the first industrialist in this area to present a Christmas bonus to his employees. The firm was entirely family-owned, and in the several years before the plant was closed in 1963, Edwin L. Hubbard, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard, was also affiliated in management of the company. The couple has two daughters, Dorothy, wife of Rev. Arnold J. Pederson of Oxford, and Harriet, wife of Dr. Hollis Vernon, of Falmouth. Edwin, who with his family lives in Dudley, is an instructor at Nichols College.

The Hubbard family made their home on Schofield avenue, Dudley, across from the mills, during their early years in the community. Later they moved into the red brick home on School street in Webster, where they still live. Ralph interested himself in municipal affairs of both towns and was an active participant in civic, fraternal, veteran, and social organizations in which both Webster and Dudley joined. In fact, he was a charter member of the Webster Lodge of Elks when it was established in 1923 and was a charter member and first vice president of Webster Rotary Club, organized in 1928. Later he was elected president, and has continued active membership to this day, rarely missing the weekly luncheon meetings when he is in town.

GOLFER, TRUSTEE

An enthusiastic golfer, Ralph became involved with affairs of the Webster-Dudley Golf Club from his arrival in town. This was his great relaxation and he was so proficient at the sport that his name is carried on several Club Championship and tournament trophies of the early era of the club -- now the Nichols College Golf Club. In fact, the retired industrialist still enjoys a bit of golf occasionally, though he admits to travelling the fairways in a motorized cart.

The position of head of a manufacturing firm naturally resulted in affiliation of Mr. Hubbard with many business and industrial associations, just as his banking connections brought membership in different institutions of the financial world. However, one of his proudest moments came when Ralph was honored with appointment as a trustee of Lowell Technological Institute of which he is a graduate. He has served on this board for many years, and has been instrumental in helping many young men embark on specialized industrial careers through education at this state-operated college.

THEY ARE "INVOLVED"

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have long been affiliated with the United Church of Christ and active in affairs of the church. Indeed the Hubbard family has been most generous in aiding various functions there and when the new red brick building replaced the former Congregational Church, their generosity was so great that a portion of the church has been dedicated as Hubbard Chapel.

Mrs. Hubbard, for many years before illness curtailed activities, had been a participant in affairs of the church, including the Ladies Benevolent Society and former Women's Missionary Society. In addition, she gave a great deal of time and effort to the Girl Scouts, Webster Samaritan Association, and Hospital Guild. This soft-spoken matron accomplished a great deal through her work with these various organizations, and has been particularly instrumental in aiding needy families and individuals. Though of necessity less active now, she still serves on the boards of both the Samaritans and of the Hospital Guild. Other memberships have included Webster Women's Club, Webster Monday Club, and L'Apres Midi Club, the last two among the oldest, though smaller, groups in town.

JUST A PHONE CALL

As a director for the Samaritans, Mrs. Hubbard had opportunity to learn of instances of need within the two towns, and has often been the quiet benefactor, either through the Association or personally. One long ago instance that the writer recalls occurred when the Samaritan Nurse was desperately in need of a new car, the old model being so often in the garage for repair that the regular rounds could not be completed, The dire situation was called to the attention of the Hubbards, and Presto! a new car was a reality within a short time -- a gift of these benefactors. And thereafter, it is believed that the generosity of Mrs. Hubbard made possible acquisition of subsequent cars and many other needs of the Association.

When the TIMES conducted an annual Christmas Fund, prior to the outbreak of World War II, the Samaritans handled the distribution and checked the actual need of the scores of families whose names were submitted, especially during depression years. Though he may not remember it now, Ralph Hubbard left standing instructions with Editor Larry Daly to make note of the number of families that needed sleds and boys who needed skates. It was usually our task to notify the Packard Mills manager of the final tally, and we particularly remember one Christmas when the order was for 12 big sleds, and another year of good skating when the request was for many pairs of skates.

GIVE TO CHARITIES

Girl Scouts, too, benefitted on at least one special occasion when the Day Camp was in danger of oblivion for lack of a few hundred dollars to meet an unexpected cost. A phone call to Mr. Hubbard, and the problem was solved. These are but a few instances of many that this writer knows of, most of the contributions having been made anonymously, often to private individuals or families in need, and continually to area organizations and churches. Almost every church in the community, regardless of denomination, has been aided financially by the Hubbards, though usually the gift has been given with an injunction to secrecy.

Charitable contributions of this respected family became so great, and requests so frequent, that many years ago a Hubbard Foundation was established to handle such benefactions.

BANK PRESIDENT

Although Mr. Hubbard retired from the wars of daily industrial life when Packard Mills was closed, his years of hard work and his sharp business acumen made it difficult, if not impossible, to remain inactive. He has therefore interested himself in other business ventures, and continue to be an active president of the Webster Five Cent Savings Bank -- an institution that has had phenomenal growth under his leadership since he was elected to the highest office in 1931.

The bank is presently celebrating its centennial year, and never in those 100 years has it been in a more sound and prosperous financial position. Under guidance of Mr. Hubbard, the bank has expanded many times, first in its long-time quarters in the bank building at the corner of Main and Mechanic streets, and now in the specially designed bank it has occupied since 1954 on site of the Dr. Bragg homestead on Main St. near Church street.

CENTENNIAL DINNER

Savings, mortgages, loans and other services have surged upward so greatly, with more and more customers, coming from area towns, that it was decided in 1961 to establish a branch in leased quarters in Oxford. This was so successful that a new colonial-type building was constructed on Main street in that community and opened in 1965.

Mr. Hubbard gave a dinner in May for corporators and employees of Webster Five Cent Savings to mark the beginning of the centennial year and to express his personal appreciation to all who have helped make the bank so fine an institution. It is typical of Ralph to pay tribute to others, though much of the success has been due to his own financial genius and excellent leadership as president for the past 37 years.

HELPS FOUND HOSPITAL

When Webster District Hospital was established in 1929, Ralph Hubbard was one of the motivating spirits in culmination of the effort that had taken many years to accomplish. And he was also one of the first Board of Directors, that decided to lease the former Bates Homestead on Thompson road and convert it to hospital use. In 1932, Mr. Hubbard was elected president of the Hospital corporation and served in that capacity until 1952, when he was honored by elevation to the permanent position of President Emeritus.

Meantime, under his guidance, the hospital services were expanded, additions were built so that more patients could be accommodated and better served, and in 1934 the corporation bought the building and land that had been leased from the American Woolen Company, owners of the former mansion. The difficult work of heading the Board and overseeing the work of the institution meant many, many hours given from his busy schedule. Continuously, when there were needs that could not be met financially by the institution, this benefactor quietly saw that the equipment, or material, or service was provided.

MRS. HUBBARD'S INFLUENCE

Mrs. Hubbard's interest in the hospital was no less deep, and she gave much time and great effort to the work of the Hospital Guild, then in its infancy. In those early days, teams of women from the Guild paid weekly visits to the hospital, toured the institution with the superintendent, and both heard and saw some of the needs. Thus it was largely through Mrs. Hubbard's influence that there came into existence a major gift from the Hubbard family -- the attractive and spacious Nurses Home, which was named Hubbard House. It was completed in 1938, and presented fully furnished and equipped to the hospital.

It would be impossible to list all of the gifts of this family to the hospital through the years, because most of them were given quietly and without public knowledge. Plans for a new hospital were begun while Mr. Hubbard was still president, though they came to fruition after he left the active presidency. Nonetheless, he was the motivating force in construction of the modern brick building that was dedicated in 1955.

NEW BUILDING

Cost of the hospital was approximately $800,000, approximately $250,000 of which was a federal grant, with the remainder raised through "public" subscription. However, at the kickoff dinner held in the Municipal Auditorium in the spring of 1952, Mr. Hubbard announced that he and his family would contribute $100,000 if townspeople raised the remainder. They did and he did, so that actuality of the new hospital was based largely one his initiative and his tremendous generosity.

Through all the years since, Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have maintained their primary interest in the hospital, and have been its single largest benefctor, year in and year out. Mr. Hubbard continues to be active as President Emeritus and to participate in deliberations concerning the business and administrative affairs, while Mrs. Hubbard, though unable because of health to work actively, continues to serve through the Hospital Guild.

FITTING TRIBUTE

To everyone connected with the hospital and to townspeople who have watched its growth and great service to the community, the hospital has been synonymous with Ralph K. Hubbard. Thus it is that the present Board of Directors and Corporators, embarking on many changes within the institution and planning further expansion, have so appropriately voted to make the services more regional in nature and at the same time pay tribute to the Hubbard family that has largely made continuation possible through good years and bad.

Hubbard Regional Hospital commemorates in its new name what the community has always appreciated -- the great generosity and personal involvement of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard in the affairs of the institution and community.

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