In Memoriam
November 22, 2024
Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation mourn the passing of Rick Stoddard, a dedicated and generous man who funded many life-changing programs across the hospital and served as a board member for three decades.
In addition to his unwavering philanthropic support, Rick’s leadership legacy is marked by his dedication to the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation Board of Trustees, which he joined in 1995 and led as Board Chair in 2017-2019 and as a member of the Executive Committee.
Rick guided governance of the Foundation, including helping to establish the principal gifts program. Rick was honored for his board leadership in 2023 with an appointment as Trustee Emeritus.
Rick dedicated nearly 10 years of leadership and service to the Children’s Hospital Colorado Board of Directors and served on the Children’s Hospital Colorado Research Committee and the Gates Biomanufacturing Facility Advisory Board.
I’m saddened by the loss of Rick Stoddard and send my sincere condolences to Rick’s family. As a leader who provided his wise counsel and personal generosity to our mission for many years, Rick was instrumental in shaping our governance policies and offered his voice to the Board and Executive Committee with care and conviction. He left a mark on our institution and our hearts.
Jen Darling, President and CEO, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation
Rick had a personal connection to Children’s Colorado through his children’s health journeys. He and his wife, Janie, donated generously to a number of areas in the hospital, specifically those that treated their children. They established the Abby Stoddard Lectureship in Neurology Endowment, which provides an annual lectureship series; the Stoddard Lynch Professorship in pediatric urology; and the Gregor Stoddard Visiting Professorship in Neonatology Endowment, which provides an annual visiting professorship in Neonatology and Maternal Fetal Medicine.
Rick’s devotion to Children’s Colorado knew no boundaries. His kind and thoughtful spirit is woven into the fabric of the hospital, and his leadership has built a foundation that will carry us forward for many years to come. He will be missed and remembered – always.
Jena Hausmann, President and CEO, Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Cille B. and Ronald W. Williams Endowed Chair in Executive Leadership
Rick and his wife, Janie, made their largest commitment to Children’s Colorado in 2024, a gift of $1 million to support education and training in the departments of Neurology, the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and Urology. Rick’s generous lifetime philanthropy exceeded $3.2 million, including a legacy gift that honors his passion for Children’s Hospital Colorado in perpetuity.
Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Children’s Colorado Foundation are forever grateful for the many blessings Rick brought to countless children and families served by the hospital.