Wednesday, November 16, 2011 In a windswept ceremony Thursday, October 20, in front of the hospital, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital named its main building in memory of Gregory Rubin Reynolds, longtime benefactor of the hospital. Gregory was remembered for his sharp wit and intellect, as well as for his deep concern for the people of the Northeast Kingdom. Reynolds passed away July 30, 2011 at NVRH.
“Gregory’s generosity to NVRH grew over time, beginning with a gift to name the parking lot at the Bloch Building and then increasing with the naming of the day-surgery center and culminating with a very generous bequest,” said NVRH CEO Paul Bengtson. “Gregory attracted people to him from all over the town and all over the hospital. He built relationships with food-service staff, infusion nurses, ER nurses, administrators, phlebotomists, and volunteers. He was a charming man, whether he was complimenting you or kidding you. We were all lucky to know him.”
Reynolds pushed the hospital to find new ways to raise money. When he rebuilt his home after a fire, Reynolds threw a $1000-a-couple black-tie summer gala to benefit NVRH. Despite concerns over the price and the formal attire, the event was oversubscribed and a great success. The summer gala has been a tradition at the hospital ever since.
Reynolds was born July 26, 1937 in central Pennsylvania and grew up in New York City. In the late sixties he and his wife, Barbara, moved to Peacham. Barbara died in 1991. Gregory’s longtime partner, Tom Belville died in 2006.
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