More than likely, you have heard about David Deutchman before and the special work that he did. Perhaps you don’t know him by his given name, however, he is better known as the “ICU Grandpa” because he volunteered his time at Children Healthcare of Atlanta in the NICU. As a retired individual, he wanted to help newborn infants and he gave them the TLC they needed to make it from day-to-day.
He wasn’t just somebody that was known in the Atlanta area, people around the world couldn’t say enough good about what he was doing. Unfortunately, his work came to an end when he died at the age of 86.
According to PEOPLE, in a statement by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a representative said: “Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta extends its deepest sympathy to the family of David Deutchman. David was a long-time volunteer in the pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit at Scottish Rite for 14 years, providing support to many patients and their families. The Children’s family will never forget this incredible legend and the countless lives he touched.”
Deutchman went viral with the volunteer work he was doing after a 2017 photo was shared on Facebook.
They call him the ICU Grandpa. On Tuesdays, he visits the PICU to hold babies whose parents can’t be with them that day….
Posted by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta on Wednesday, September 27, 2017
The mother who posted the picture said that it captures a special moment of a volunteer at the hospital who has been holding patients for over a decade.
Unfortunately, Deutchman received a diagnosis in October of pancreatic cancer. He passed away just a few weeks after being diagnosed. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ronnie, and his daughters, Susan Lily and Jill Deutchman, among other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In order to say goodbye to this loving individual, the hospital organized a drive-by social distancing parade at his home. They also shared a picture of the drive-by parade on Twitter.
In 2017, the story of our "ICU Grandpa" touched people all over the world. Last week, we learned he has stage IV pancreatic cancer. To honor this legend, our employees organized a drive-by parade outside his home—complete with a NICU transport truck and🚁. pic.twitter.com/NsS5fuFtK2
— Children's (@childrensatl) November 10, 2020