Rodney “Rod” Ward Henderson and his wife, Sandra, moved from Nebraska to the Wheat Ridge area in 1963. Rodney left his teaching profession in 1967 and went to work in the HVAC industry. He eventually started his own HVAC Company, Action Air Inc., and retired in 1996. Sandra worked as a schoolteacher for a short time until she and Rodney started their family – two sons and their daughter, who passed away when she was five. They always considered Lutheran their community hospital.
For over six years, Sandra volunteered with Lutheran Hospice when care was provided in the hospital before Collier Hospice Center was built. Through Sandra’s volunteer work, she really gained an appreciation and passion for the hospice program. Because of her dedication and commitment to Lutheran, it was only natural that Rodney would receive care from their community hospital, Lutheran, when he began having heart problems. He was treated for several years by Lutheran’s cardiac program. The Henderson family continued to be impressed by the outstanding patient care that Rodney received. In Rodney’s final days, he was cared for by Lutheran Home Hospice until he peacefully passed away at Collier Hospice Center on March 13, 2018. Sandra and Rodney were married for 59 years and have two grandchildren.
Sandra couldn’t think of a better way to memorialize her husband than through an endowment and planned gift. In December 2019, Sandra contributed $25,000, which was matched by the Lutheran Foundation matching program, and established the Henderson Family Endowment Fund to provide hospice care support at Collier Hospice. Over the years, Sandra has also supported the LMC Foundation by attending the annual White Rose Evening. In addition to their endowment gift, the Henderson family made a $100,000 bequest to Collier Hospice in January 2020.
“I wanted to honor my husband and help hospice. I hold Lutheran Medical Center as a very warm place in my heart, for all the amazing care he received. I wanted others to have a peaceful way to pass.”
The Henderson family continued their tradition of giving, with Sandra donating $100,000 to support the new replacement building. A focal point in the new facility will be named to honor the family’s ongoing support and dedication to Lutheran Medical Center.
Caring for our caregivers is made possible by families like the Hendersons, who give generously to support programs throughout the hospital. Sandra’s contributions to us as her family’s neighborhood hospital ensure that Lutheran can continue its tradition of providing excellent care to the community. Community members choosing to leave their legacy on the new hospital means Lutheran can continue its legacy for generations to come.
We thank Sandra Henderson and her family for their generosity and support.
