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HINKES -- JULES M. President and Chief Executive Officer of Miami Children's Hospital, retired, died May 12, 2008, of natural causes. He was 85. Born February 24, 1923, Jules was the first born of three sons, to William and Anna Hinkes, Jewish immigrants living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The son of a tailor, Jules excelled in school and graduated from Peabody High School in 1939 at the age of 16. Two years later, while working as a stock clerk at Harris Stores, he witnessed the invasion of Pearl Harbor over the radio. Determined to protect the country that gave sanctuary and opportunity to his parents, Jules enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, October 26, 1942. Trained as a radio operator for the new B-17 Flying Fortress, Jules developed a lifelong fascination for aircraft and anything electronic. But as fate would have it, Jules had enormous talent with language and could type nearly 100 words per minute. He was sent to the Pacific theater and worked as a specialist for the 3365 Signal Service Battalion. While helping to thoroughly confuse the Japanese with false radio transmissions, Jules learned of the enormous losses on the beaches of Iwo Jima. He volunteered to help remove the dead and wounded, as was Jules's great compassion for humanity. For this humble act, Jules earned the Bronze Star for Valor. Years later, Jules would find his life's calling helping others as he did on that horrific beach. He married Esther Osran, June 7, 1944, in Pittsburgh. With her support and while raising a family, Jules graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to earn his Masters of Arts in Healthcare Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1956. His career in heath care administration started at Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh. After careers at both Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago and Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Jules was appointed Administrator at Variety Children's Hospital, Miami Florida in 1972. During his 16 years as director, Jules provided the stewardship and vision to build one of the preeminent medical facilities for children in this hemisphere, the Miami Children's Hospital. Jules retired in 1988 and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife Esther, three children, Mark Hinkes of Nashville, Kenny Hinkes and Susan Warren of Albuquerque, nine beautiful grandchildren, and his brothers, Jerry Hinkes of Pittsburgh and Sandy Hinkes of Miami. Contributions can be made to the Jules M. Hinkes Memorial Fund for the Miami Children's Hospital. Contact Connie Kazanjian cell 305-726-6241, e-mail ckazanjian@mchf.org
        Published on: Sun May 18, 2008