Herbert Nootbaar Recognized for a Half Century of Support to SCMC

Herbert Nootbaar, longtime supporter of South Coast Medical Center and Laguna Beach resident, was honored on Thursday, January 10, at the Foundation’s StarFinders and Major Donors’ dinner held at the St. Regis Resort. StarFinders, co-founded by Mr. Nootbaar in 1983, is one of the SCMC Foundation’s support groups comprised of people in the community who annually donate a minimum of $1,000 - $5,000 per year.

The annual StarFinders’ & Major Donors’ dinner serves to pay tribute to the Foundation’s top supporters. To date, StarFinders supporters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars – funds that have supported purchases of equipment and facility improvements. In addition to StarFinders, Mr. Nootbaar also founded The Winners Circle and the Foundation’s annual Gala.

One of Mr. Nootbaar’s most significant contributions to the hospital was that he led the way to raise the funds for a radiation oncology capability at the hospital, after his first wife passed away from cancer.

Bruce Christian, President & CEO, and Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider, Executive Director of the Foundation, presented Mr. Nootbaar with the award and thanked him for his decades of service to the hospital.

“We are grateful to Mr. Nootbaar for his 50 years of support for our hospital,” said Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider. “We know it’s in part because of his dedication and support that we have been able to continue providing top-level care to the residents along the south coast.”

Over 150 people filled the St. Regis ballroom, including such notables as 5th District OC Supervisor Pat Bates; Dana Point Mayor Joel Bishop; Laguna Beach City Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman; Laguna Beach resident and loyal supporter Cheryl Post; Kathleen Blackburn – a member of the hospital’s governing board and a longtime SCMC supporter; and Sanford Edward and Susan Morrison -- hospital supporters and Foundation Board of Trustees member; and Gracie Boyd, wife of the late Hopalong Cassidy. Mr. Nootbaar’s son, John – and his daughter, JoAnne Rogers – also attended the event.

One of the highlights of the evening was a video presentation that included an update from Mr. Christian – who reiterated the hope of the hospital to build senior housing to address its retrofit issue. The video also included testimonials about SCMC from local residents, including Kathleen Blackburn, Michael Gosselin, Renae Hinchey, Scott and Liam Tenney, Joe and Gwendolyn Brown, John Gustafson and Pauline Walpin.

According to his son, John, Herbert Victor Nootbaar was born in Chicago on November 8th, 1908. Following a successful career in sales with top-grade feed manufacturer Taylor Milling, which later became Ralston-Purina Co., Mr. Nootbaar established the H.V. Nootbaar & Company in Pasadena, CA. The company grew to include offices in Central Valley and the Bay Area. In addition to his company, Mr. Nootbaar was involved in the causes of numerous organizations, including the National Feed Dealers Association; World Affairs President and Chamber of Commerce for Los Angeles County; Rotary Club President; and he was one of the top officers in the Tournament of Roses Association. In addition to South Coast Medical Center, Mr. Nootbaar’s other philanthropic interests have included donations to institutions such as Pepperdine University, Chapman College, UCLA, Claremont and the Pacific-Asian Institute in Pasadena.

South Coast Medical Center, a non-profit 208-bed acute care hospital, serves the cities of Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente and Aliso Viejo.

Contact: Elizabeth Schneider, Executive Director, SCMC Foundation, (949) 499-7147

Posted 1/14/08