Halliburton CEO gives $500,000 to hospital

Dave and Sherry Lesar, part-time residents of Whitefish, have donated $500,000 to North Valley Hospital's

capital campaign.

Dave and Sherry Lesar, part-time residents of Whitefish, have donated $500,000 to North Valley Hospital's capital campaign.

Dave Lesar is chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Halliburton, the world's largest diversified energy services, engineering and construction firm, operating in about 100 countries.

Lesar succeeded Vice President Dick Cheney at the helm of Halliburton.

The half-million-dollar donation brought the hospital's campaign fund to $4.4 million, or 70 percent of its $6.3 million goal.

Patty Kogutek, capital campaign chairwoman, said the Lesars want to become more involved with the Whitefish community. The couple also recently donated to Whitefish's ice arena.

"The Lesars expressed their understanding of the tremendous effort it takes to continue fund raising for a capital campaign," Kogutek said.

Dave Lesar said he and his wife were glad to help. The two grew up in a small town in Wisconsin.

"We chose Whitefish for a number of reasons … of course it's beautiful, it's a friendly town, with great people and a superb quality of life," Lesar said. "A town like Whitefish deserves an excellent hospital."

The Lesars have two children in college and a home in Houston.

Lesar, 52, began his career at Arthur Andersen Co. after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in business from the University of Wisconsin in 1978. He moved to Halliburton in 1993 and assumed his current position in 2000.

According to North Valley Hospital officials, the Lesars have reserved the hospital's medical/surgical department for their "naming opportunity."

The capital campaign was initiated to reduce the debt load for North Valley Hospital's new $30 million facility under construction on 45 acres near U.S. 93 and Montana 40.

A one-level building, the new hospital will occupy 82,000 square feet. North Valley Hospital has incorporated the Planetree principles of a healing environment into its new building with healing gardens and home-like touches.

Hospital officials said the Lesars expressed particular interest in this aspect of the new hospital.

"The Planetree approach is an innovative one, encompassing the body, mind and spirit," Lesar said.

Sherry Lesar has expressed an interest in giving her time to the hospital.

"I think it's very important to give back to the community," she said.

Carol Blake, executive director of the hospital foundation, has emphasized gift opportunities range from brick pavers to department naming.

"We appreciate every gift, whether large or small," Blake said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.