The Warren Buffet of oil and gas
Houston oilman donates $10 million to Methodist Cancer Center as he suffers from brain tumor
Methodist Cancer Center announced today a $10 million commitment from oil executive Kenneth R. Peak for creation of the Kenneth R. Peak Brain & Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center at The Methodist Hospital. Peak died last week at age 67 after an eight-month battle with brain cancer. He arranged for the gift while undergoing treatment at Methodist.
The founder, CEO and chairman of Contango Oil & Gas Co., Peak was once called the Warren Buffet of the oil and gas industry. The company obituary recalled "his dedication to Contango where he risked his life savings to give it life."
One of the largest gifts to Methodist in recent years, the funds will be used to consolidate into one space the tumor treatment center's work in personalized neurosurgical and cancer treatment options, under the direction of renowned neurosurgeon Dr. David Baskin, who was Peak's physician.
In a prepared statement Baskin said, “Brain and pituitary tumors are a devastating set of diseases. We are bringing together specialists from all over the world and designing novel treatment options available to each patient, so we can make this journey as smooth as possible, and when possible, eradicate tumors and cancer.”
The Peak gift ranks among the highest given to Methodist in recent years, the largest being a $30 million estate gift, bequeathed anonymously.