WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A prolific Bellingham philanthropist has passed away.

The family of Peter Paulsen announced that he died on July 17 at the age of 90.

Paulsen was a renowned investor, developer, and philanthropist who immigrated to the US in 1952. He helped construct several buildings throughout Bellingham, including the Hotel Bellwether, which opened in 2000.

Paulsen and his wife later established the Peter and Diana Paulsen Foundation, which gave back to dozens of local organizations and charities. Those include the Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County, Skookum Kids, and the Bellingham Food Bank.

Paulsen donated a community stage to the Portal Container Village at Trackside, which bears his name. He also contributed $60 million to Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center for a building extension.

That extension will be named the Peter Paulsen Pavilion and construction is slated to begin sometime this fall.