Following up on the front-page story in the Jan. 17 Beachcomber concerning the scholarship fund being created to honor the long community service of Gary Koch, MD, the Sunrise Ridge Health Services Board of Directors has voted unanimously to make a contribution of $1,000 to the fund. The fund is managed under the auspices of the Vashon Community Scholarship Fund.

Dr. Koch was a pivotal player enabling the provision of medical services on-island for four decades, and his importance in that effort cannot be overstated. The board thanks him for his service.

Sunrise Ridge Health Services is the owner/manager of the Sunrise Ridge property (former Nike missile site) that includes the clinic now operated by Neighborcare Health. In addition to the donation to the Koch scholarship fund, the board is planning to create a commemorative garden adjacent to the clinic to honor not only Dr. Koch but also the many other dedicated people, both lay and medical, who made the development and operation of the clinic possible. Anyone interested in donating ideas, volunteer labor or funding to that effort may leave a message at the (normally unattended) voicemail number 206-408-7596.

— Dan Erin