Long-time Volunteer Donates $1 Million to Shriners Hospitals for Children

For George Ruhberg, a retired marine and utility accountant, writing a check was not a problem. “I didn’t worry so much about writing out the one million in the amount line, it was the Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland I had to practice fitting on the ‘pay to the order of’ line,” said Ruhberg.

Originally, Ruhberg, a long-time volunteer at the hospital, had made provisions in his will for the donation. But he had a change of heart and wanted to see the money work while he was still alive. So, he made his donation early, and the hospital recognized Ruhberg for his contribution to the hospital’s building and renovation project during a recent monthly board meeting.

During the event, Administrator Richard Cagen presented Ruhberg with a Dream Makers Legacy society plaque,and a gold medallion on the hospital’s philanthropic society wall was unveiled. Ruhberg especially enjoyed the enlarged copy of his million dollar check, presented by Mark Thoreson, the hospital’s director of development. “I can’t wait to hang this on the wall,” Ruhberg said as he shared the enlarged check with a patient’s family.

Ruhberg began volunteering for various organizations, including the local veterans hospital and Meals on Wheels, when he retired from Pacific Power & Light in 1980. He joined the volunteer team at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland in 1994, stating on his volunteer application “Community service is very important to me.”

In his first position, he drove patients to the airport and local hotels. In later years, he was a hospital tour guide.

His quick smile and contagious laughter make him a great guide for school children, and his knowledge of the hospital was appreciated by groups of visiting nurses. Ruhberg is also active in his Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and Al Kader Shriners.