Editorial: Quiet donor will be missed

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006 | 6:58 a.m.

When Ameristar Casinos Chief Executive Craig Neilsen died unexpectedly earlier this week, he left a strong legacy for not just his company but for his philanthropy.

Neilsen, 65, took a family stake in two casinos in Jackpot and turned that into one of the nation's best-performing casino companies. Along the way he never forgot to give something back.

A spinal cord injury in 1985 left Neilsen in a wheelchair, and he quietly used the money he made to make life better for others with spinal cord injuries. Neilsen's foundation gave to organizations that paid for home improvements, accommodations and things insurance wouldn't.

Since 2002 the foundation has donated about $7.5 million for research and rehabilitation efforts.

A story in Tuesday's Las Vegas Sun by Liz Benston noted that Neilsen's actions affected the company and its employees. The Las Vegas-based company has one of the highest donation rates for a company of its size. Last year Ameristar employees, with matching company money, gave $9 million to nonprofit organizations, such as the Nevada Cancer Institute, which received $1 million in a joint donation from the company and the foundation.

Neilsen didn't own a casino on the Strip, and he didn't act like a big shot. He didn't grant media interviews, and he didn't trumpet himself or his giving.

He just performed, both in business and in the community. He'll be missed.