By james art 
Lubbock, Texas (KCBD) – was on the Facebook page for Lubbock’s UMC pediatric associates, where D, Doug Clapper announced its plan to retire. It started with “After 33 years it is time to overturn the nest.”
The post brought him 292 comments and 195 shares from generations of patients and families. We can spend a day or two, sharing all this, but instead, here’s what you may not know about this beloved doctor.
Doug was born in McDonald, Kansas, a city of 200 people.
Not surprisingly, he was selected as “the most liked” in high school.
But this can come as a big surprise. He says, “From grade 18, I was not in the upper third.”
This is a story that he has shared many times over the years to encourage young people to pursue their dreams.
After spending time at the Navy, he was admitted to a Texas Tech medical school, which he said brought tears when he approached that first day.
He told his wife Terry, “I didn’t think I was smart enough.”
Terry is in a hurry to answer. She says she told him, “No, you have to go. This is what you are! “
Dr. Doug Cleper ended with the highest honor given by his peers at the Medical School, the Gold Headed Cane Award. Today he says, “We hope I have done what they were their expectations.”
Later, Cleper will be appointed doctor of the year with many other awards on the road. But after all these years, he will tell you that the largest awards are the hundreds of children he has helped over the years.
He holds a drawing given to him by a patient. She had pulled herself, stood under a cloud.
He says, “The fine dark cloud over her head tells us that things are not right. We put her into an advisor and she turned out to be a delightful adult. “
Dr. Cleper cures his patients as a family. After three decades, there are many that they cared for, and then grew up to bring their own children to use it as their pediatrician.
Kleppers have been included in hundreds of invitations, cards and messages over the years, saving everyone in the trunk in their home.
There is also a special box of photos, children who face a terminal disease under his care. He says tears: “Their legacy is as important to me as anyone else. They touched my life in so many ways.
This story includes more tips than Dr. Kleper and more hugs and goodbye. You will also hear why he wanted to hold a penguin in this Facebook post that announces his retirement.
What a blessing he showed on this first day of the Medical School after all.
Doug Clapper had no idea how many families would affect and how many hearts he would touch in 33 years.
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