Bob and Mary Gedney

Bob and Mary Gedney saw it firsthand, when hospital founder Leonard Parker Pool helped a friend in need.

In 1970, at age 33, Bob Gedney’s best friend, Bill, had everything going for him: an engineering job at Air Products, a beautiful wife and three young children. Then he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.

Leonard Pool, founder of Air Products, flew in specialists to try to help his aspiring colleague. Despite undergoing experimental treatment, Bill passed away 10 days later. The day of the funeral, Pool arrived at the family’s home with an assistant to look after Bill’s children during the service.

“He walked the walk,” says Bob, who never forgot Pool’s generosity. That’s why he and his wife, Mary, are proud members of The Leonard Pool Society, an annual giving society named for LVH–Cedar Crest’s founder. Additionally, Mary serves as an advisory board member. “We realize how lucky we are to have LVHHN’s level of care in the area,” she says.

A realtor, Mary meets with many families looking to relocate to the area. “They always ask about schools and health care,” she says. While taking visitors on a tour of homes for sale, she drives them through LVHHN’s campuses. “I tell them about services like labor and delivery, the Regional Burn Center and Cancer Center,” she says. “People realize having quality health care nearby is a huge asset to their families.”

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