Founder of Ronald McDonald House Charities Charleston, Dr. Charles Darby, has passed away

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A man who was instrumental in establishing one of the state’s largest children’s hospitals has passed away.

Dr. Charles Darby passed away on Wednesday.

He is credited with creating the Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital and was the founder of the Darby Children’s Research Institute.

According to a bio on MUSC’s website, Dr. Darby was named chairman of the medical university’s Department of Pediatrics in 1982 and realized the need for better pediatric healthcare in the state.

They say he launched a campaign with the hospital and state lawmakers to build a children’s hospital, which came to fruition when it opened in downtown Charleston in 1987.

Dr. Darby also served as founder of the Ronald McDonald House Charleston, which provides programs to families and offers them a place to stay while their child goes through extensive medical treatment.

 “To give these children a place and these families a place to stay and eat and comfort one another,” RMHC Founder, Dr. Charles Darby said.

Details about Dr. Darby’s funeral are forthcoming.