Writer leaves $10M to respiratory hospital

DENVER, July 17 (UPI) -- An author of fantasy novels left $10 million to a Denver hospital where had never been treated, officials said.

David Eddings selected National Jewish Hospital as a beneficiary because of its reputation as a top institution for the treatment of respiratory disease, The Denver Post reported Friday. Eddings' wife, Leigh, suffered from severe asthma.

"Our understanding is that they wanted to invest in an institution that could make the most substantial difference in asthma patients' lives," said Michael Salem, the hospital's chief executive officer.

U.S. News & World Report ranked National Jewish as the top respiratory hospital in the country for 12 consecutive years.

David Eddings died June 2. Leigh Eddings, who collaborated with her husband, died in 2007.

The couple also left $20 million to Reed College in Portland, Ore., where David Eddings received a bachelor's degree in 1954.

David Eddings, who lived briefly in Denver many years ago, had no known connection to National Jewish Hospital.