Lewis Young is always thinking of others.
Larned’s local guardian angel has made his “retirement” a living testament to his belief in philanthropy.
He surprised fellow board members of the Pawnee Valley Community Foundation recently with his latest donation.
Young announced to the board that his donation would fund an endowment that will have long-lasting benefits to the Foundation and PVCH.  
“I am giving this gift to honor my beloved wife, Pat Young, and to create an endowment that will benefit the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation and the hospital as long as the two exist,” said Young.
The endowment will keep the principal amount intact while using the investment income from dividends for the charitable effort of the PVCH Foundation.
Suzan Haynes, PVCH Foundation president. said having quality healthcare in Pawnee County is vital to the economic health of the community.
“We are so grateful for the gift being made to the Foundation by Lewis Young,” said Haynes.  “It has been a goal of mine to get an endowment.  Now, we have the capacity to build on the gift that has so generously been given.”
The Pat Young Imaging Center at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is named in his wife’s memory.
Young’s sizable donation previously helped Pawnee Valley Community Hospital purchase a GE Optima 660 64-slice CT scanner. The scanner is a great resource for geriatric, pediatric, and trauma patients.
Young has made it his life’s mission to help others.
He has been helping others from the time he taught psychology at McPherson College and after he retired from his career as a psychologist at Larned State Hospital,
He’s helped his students and patients be smarter, make better decisions and encouraged them to understand more about themselves.
Young started volunteering with Angel Flight Central since 2001, transporting medical patients and their families free of charge to their Midwest destinations.  
He was named a Heroes of the Heart in 2009 and was 2010 Angel Flight Central Volunteer Pilot of the Year. He surpassed 700 Angel Flights in 2010.
He always volunteered his time and talent because it was the right thing to do.
Lewis is a true American hero.

Jim Misunas