Missionary Introduction

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  • Louis Skarin Grubb

  • ◾ Korean name : Suh Soo-Bok
  • ◾ Year of Birth : 1921 - unknown.
  • ◾ Academic background : University of California, Leland Stanford Junior University, University of Southern California
  • ◾ Background and affiliation : Southern Baptist(SB)
  • ◾ Period of mission work in Korea : 1953∼1995.
  • ◾ Period of mission work at Dongsan Hospital : 1953 - 1995.
  • ◾ Family details : William Albert Grubb(husband)
  • 3 children(3 sons)
1. Louis Skarin Grubb came to Korea as a missionary and get married in Korea

Louis Skarin Grubb, who was called Suh Soo-Bok, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1921. As an early student, she graduated from the University of California, obtained a physical therapist's license at Leland Stanford Junior University, and an occupational therapist's license at the University of Southern California.

She came to Korea because of her future husband, William Albert Grub. The two were UCLA alumni, Louis was attending the New York Bible Theological Seminary, and William was attending the Princeton Theological Seminary. The two, who met for the first time at the seminary's Thanksgiving dinner, said William was planning to go to Korea as a missionary and told Louis that physical therapy would help Koreans if they went to Korea. So Louis came to Korea in 1953.

While working as an occupational therapist at Severance Hospital, she gave prosthetic legs and prosthetic limbs to Koreans who lost their arms and legs during the war and rehabilitated them.

William, who challenged her to go to Korea as a missionary, came to Korea the following year, February 8, 1954, and the two dated for a year and four months, then married at the Yeondong Church in Seoul on June 30, 1955, and had three children born and raised in Korea.

William Grubb and Louis Skarin's Wedding Invitation, June 30, 1955

2. Louis Skarin Grubb served as a physical therapist and occupational therapist

Louis was in charge of many duties as a physical therapist and occupational therapist at Dongsan Christian Hospital and Aerakwon. Contrary to the hospital's needs and expectations of Director Howard Moffett, the opening of a physical therapy room through Louis was not smooth, and it was officially opened by missionary Joanne Poe in June 1962.

Louis helped rehabilitate leprosy patients as an occupational therapist at Daegu Academy whenever she had time. They also taught them textile techniques and beauty technology. Through this, it helped her to become independent later on in society.

It is also overwhelming to take care of the family while getting married and raising children, and she had been very helpful to many patients and leprosy patients as she did missionary work at Dongsan Christian Hospital and Aerakwon.

Retiring from her 40-year missionary career, she confessed in an interview with Korean Christian media, "Koreans are really kind and nice people. I can't forget them. I was truly happy with them. The most important and happy time of my life was 40 years of staying in Korea," she said.

She returned to the U.S. with her husband in 1955.

Louis Grubb at the entrance of Westminster Garden, a retirement missionary village

Louis and William Grubb's Private House