St. Luke’s honors Andy Erstad with ‘highest honor’ for support of hospital, community efforts

Andy Erstad’s impact on the Treasure Valley is clearly visible.

As founder of Erstad Architects and chairman of the Idaho State Capital Commission, he and his firm’s work can be seen at Zoo Boise, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the Salvation Army, Bishop Kelly High School, the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and many more.

“There’s probably another dozen,” said Rich Raimondi, a community leader and member of the St. Luke’s Health System Board of Directors.

Raimondi was the 2025 Ralph J. Comstock Jr. Light of Philanthropy Award recipient, described by St. Luke’s President and CEO Chris Roth as “one of the highest honors we can bestow on somebody in our community.”

The 2026 recipient, honored Oct. 22 in Boise, is Erstad.

And as visible as his contributions are to the community, for Erstad, it goes so much deeper than what is easily seen.

Erstad has served as chair of the St. Luke’s Children’s Board, Boise City Design Review Committee, Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Association and the Boise High School Lacrosse Club.

“Andy is deserving of the Light of Philanthropy Award because he defines leadership, philanthropy and humanitarianism in this community,” said his friend Janelle Wise.

And his community is of vital importance — Erstad is about as Idahoan as it gets.

Born at St. Luke’s, his family activities often took place outdoors. He graduated from Bishop Kelly, earned his first collegiate degree from The College of Idaho and founded Erstad Architects nearly 30 years ago. His wife of 37 years, Shannon, is a Boise native.

His three sons spoke of memories in which they were often taken to community service events “even if we weren’t very useful,” said son Ryan.

“That’s how I’ve always seen him … doing the work,” Ryan Erstad said.

Every year, Erstad makes jam to give as a gift to friends and colleagues alike. And it’s — you guessed it — huckleberry.

“His humanitarianism comes through in his kindness to people he cares about … it’s such a symbol of friendship and respect,” said his mother-in-law, Alice Hennessey, the 2004 Light of Philanthropy Award honoree.

The award ceremony proved to be among the most well-attended in the history of the event, first held in 1996. Guests were provided with jars of huckleberry jam, along with a tag featuring a watercolor Erstad created of Boise.

It’s no surprise the community he’s long supported wanted to help show its support. Ryan Erstad noted that in his father’s work, his joy of philanthropy and volunteering also had a long-term goal to “help foster more leaders in the community.”

“Andy shows up,” Raimondi said. “He shows up with an idea, a helping hand or the expertise to move something forward and he has a remarkable way of bringing others with him.”