Blank Children’s Hospital Names STAR & Developmental Center Building in Honor of Longtime Supporters Deb & Bob Pulver

Blank Children’s Hospital is proud to announce the naming of the Deb & Bob Pulver Center located at 4055 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines that is home to the STAR & Developmental Center. The building is named in recognition of Deb and the late Bob Pulver’s extraordinary generosity, visionary leadership and decades-long commitment to improving the lives of children in our community.

For more than 25 years, the Pulvers have stood as passionate advocates and generous supporters of Blank Children’s Hospital. Their contributions have shaped services and facilities that help ensure children not only survive but thrive.

“The Pulver family’s impact on our hospital and the children we serve is immeasurable,” said Erica Axiotis, President of the UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Foundation. “We are deeply thankful for their unwavering belief in our mission. This naming is a tribute to Bob’s remarkable legacy and to Deb’s continued compassion and support for generations of children to come.”

The Deb & Bob Pulver Center includes the STAR Center, a unique, trauma-sensitive, child and adolescent-friendly space offering wraparound services to help kids thrive. In addition, the Developmental Center provides expert evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for children with developmental needs.

The Pulvers’ connection to Blank Children’s began in 1997 and deepened with each passing year. Bob Pulver, former CEO of All-State Industries, brought his community spirit and entrepreneurial vision to the hospital's board of directors. He played a pivotal role in the capital campaign that made the new Blank Children’s Hospital a reality in 2000. A devoted advocate for children, Bob later championed the creation of the Developmental Center, personally flying hospital staff to research best-in-class programs around the country.

“Bob had an incredible heart for children, and his influence is still felt in every corner of this center,” said Dr. Amy Groen, Medical Director at Blank Children’s Hospital. “This renaming honors not just his leadership, but the deep compassion and vision that he and Deb brought to our work every day.”

The Pulvers were instrumental in the 2019 expansion and relocation of the STAR & Developmental Center to West Des Moines. Even after Bob’s passing in 2021, Deb has continued their legacy, elevating their total giving to more than $1 million and ensuring this newly named center will remain a place of hope and healing for families.

The Deb & Bob Pulver Center stands as a testament to a couple whose lives were dedicated to lifting others and whose impact will be felt by children and families for generations.