George Litts dies, leaves money to Cancer Resource Center

George Litts, who died at Carson-Tahoe Hospital Feb. 27, is leaving a legacy that won't fade.

The Cancer Resource Center, soon to be part of the hospital's new Cancer Center, will receive $1.25 million from his estate.

"We offer the Resource Center to our patients at no cost," said Pam Graber, spokeswoman for the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation. "He loved that and saw it as a valuable way to make a charitable contribution. When you look at the things that will happen inside the new Cancer Center, you realize that services like radiation and medical oncology are very important, but what happens in the Resource Center is what keeps patients' spirits alive."

Hospital foundation member Bill Creekbaum, who knew Litts for 12 years, calls him a great friend. Litts was 84.

"He was an incredibly altruistic and kind person. I always enjoyed his company and I know I'll miss him," Creekbaum said.

"He was a professional tennis player and was ranked 17th in the nation at one time," he said. "When his playing days were over, he coached a number of great tennis players. The one that comes to mind is Billy Jean King."

Born in Medford, Ore., on April 18, 1918, Litts attended Fresno State in California. He served as a private first class in the Army Air Corps in Ireland during World War II and continued his education after the war at the University of Houston in Texas.

There he met Helen, his wife of 27 years. She died in the early 1970s. The couple had no children.

Litts was retired when he moved to the Topaz Lake area 12 years ago. He lived in Carson City one year before his death.

"He did not want a service, memorial or funeral. He was adamant about that," Creekbaum said. "He was very close to his sister, Florence, but he didn't want to attend her funeral. Some people mourn in different ways.

"When his wife died, her ashes were scattered over the Golden Gate Bridge," he said. "George's ashes were scattered there, as well."

The Resource Center will be called the George Litts and Helen Hoffmeier Litts Cancer Resource Center.