BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Gray Andrus-Merriner claps after his grandmother, Ruth Merriner, announced a $1 million bequest to the Carson-Tahoe Hospital on Friday morning. At top, Ruth Merriner talks about the caring staff at Carson-Tahoe Hospital during her late husband Delbert's illness.
The Merriner Family Trust is donating $1 million to Carson-Tahoe Hospital in the name of family patriarch Delbert Merriner, who died at the hospital in September 2001.
With tears in her eyes, Ruth Merriner rose slowly to speak to a small crowd who came to honor the family and witness Friday's announcement.
She talked of the time her husband spent at the hospital and the generous support she received from the staff.
"Carson-Tahoe was so helpful to me, with many prayers and assistance in taking care of my needs, that this hospital earned a special place in my heart," she said.
The money will be used to build a patient-family lodging facility on the campus of the new regional medical center and will be released after Ruth Merriner's death. A $50,000 check was presented Friday, money for plans for the project.
Merriner's daughter, Audrey, stood to help support her mother during the presentation. It was a family decision, they said, and Merriner's other children - Patti, Richard and Wayne - also attended.
"Carson City has been so good to our family," Patti Merriner said. "We've met so many people here and so many good people came here from Southern California to work for us. This community gave 12 families affordable housing, crisp air and room to grow."
Together with partner Rich Gulick, the Merriners founded Richdel Inc., the company that pioneered development of the first plastic irrigation valve. The business started in Los Angeles in the 1950s and moved to Carson City in 1970.
"We're hoping this will be a gift that will keep giving back to this community for years to come, like a safe harbor," said Wayne Merriner.
Ed Epperson, chief executive officer for Carson-Tahoe Hospital, said tentative plans include 12 apartment-like units with a central gathering area, located directly across from the new regional medical center being built on Eagle Valley Ranch Road.
Limited family lodging has been available to Carson-Tahoe patients since the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Auxiliary purchased a four-bedroom house on Fleischmann Street in 1999. The service has proved invaluable to rural Nevada families when overnight stays are required, and as services move north to the new regional medical center addressing the needs of these patients will be essential.
Contact Susie Vasquez at svasquez@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
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