Gary Dyer served on the Foundation board for more than 10 years

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health has had more than 20 board members since 2001, and Gary Dyer is the only one who served as both an officer and a community board member.

Dyer, an executive vice president and chief operating officer, worked at Blue Cross of Idaho for 34 years and retired in 2007. He was vice president of the Foundation board from its inception in 2001 through 2006, serving with CEO Ray Flachbart and Chief Medical Officer Doug Dammrose. He returned in 2013 when the Foundation updated its bylaws to create community board members to serve alongside Blue Cross of Idaho leadership. He stayed on the board through 2019.

Dyer also served as chairman or president on the boards of several other community organizations, including Saint Alphonsus Hospital, Saint Alphonsus Foundation, The College of Western Idaho Foundation, Bogus Basin Ski Patrol, Special Olympics World Winter Games, Boise State’s Friends of Nursing, and the Les Bois Kiwanis Club.

Dyer spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps infantry reserve, followed by four years of active duty as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. He entered the private sector in Dallas, Texas, before being recruited to Blue Cross of Idaho in 1973.

“The time I spent in the military is one of the best career moves I ever made,” Dyer said. “I received such valuable training and experience in positions of leadership.”

One of Dyer’s biggest contributions to the Foundation in its early years was creating a cycling event to promote healthy lifestyles and the importance of physical activity. The ride was originally named “Wheels for Wellness” before changing its name to “Blue Cruise Wheels for Wellness.” These community bike rides took place from 2002 to 2015, and proceeds were distributed to local nonprofit organizations in the form of grants.

“I was an avid biker in those days and had participated in many century (100-mile) rides,” Dyer said. “I traveled to Paris in 1999 to watch Lance Armstrong win his first Tour de France. I decided Blue Cross should have its own charity ride and created the Blue Cruise. It turned out to be a very successful event with the proceeds going to our newly formed Foundation. We got the whole community involved. It was a lot of fun.”

Dyer’s 13 years of service to the Foundation board haven’t been forgotten.

“Gary always had good ideas, including the Blue Cruise that was a big part of the Foundation’s identity for many years,” Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health Executive Director Courtney Frost said. “We appreciate everything he’s done to help set the table for what the Foundation is today.”