PhilanthroCorp: Fr. Jerome Holtzman – Once a Knight, Always a Knight It’s been over 50 years since self-proclaimed ‘avid Knights fan’ Fr. Jerome Holtzman started teaching at O’Gorman. On the faculty for just four years, Fr. Jerry taught foreign language, religion and film studies. In those four short years, however, he connected with his students and fellow staff members in such an intense way that 48 years later, he remains interested and involved with what’s going on in our schools. “I feel a tremendous sense of loyalty to the school to this day,” says Fr. Holtzman. The 86 year old recently went through the PhilanthroCorp process, a service offered through the SFCS Foundation. This process lets donors meet with the independent company to take a look at their will and estate planning needs. “It was a revelation to me in terms of what I actually had in terms of assets, every little insurance policy, my car, etc.” said Fr. Holtzman. “I hadn’t really seen it in black and white like that.” Fr. Jerry said it really helped him get organized and to know he now has a well thought out estate plan in place. Holtzman said he really appreciated the confidentiality he felt when considering the financial information he was sharing with the PhilanthroCorp representative. “I felt very confident in the process. I would certainly recommend it.” Fr. Holtzman, now celebrating his 60th anniversary as a priest, says his love for O’Gorman goes back to the days he taught there, and the many students and outstanding faculty members that he connected with in a special way. He says he saw a true sense of social awareness and concern for the poor there, something that remains true today. While Fr. Jerry hasn’t lived in Sioux Falls for quite some time, his passion for O’Gorman and the Knights remains steadfast. “I was asked several years ago when O’Gorman was playing Watertown for a state title who I was cheering for,” says Holtzman, who now lives in Watertown. He replied, “I’m cheering for Watertown, but I’m praying for O’Gorman.” Fr. Jerry – we truly appreciate your longtime support! To explore how PhilanthroCorp can be a blessing to you and your family, please visit our website at www.sfcss.org/philanthrocorp and fill out the form under “Personalized Assistance.” A representative from PhilanthroCorp will call you to set up a consultation with one of their estate specialists. The services of PhilanthroCorp are provided to you on behalf of Sioux Falls Catholic Schools Foundation.
Fr. Holtzman with Michelle Katen, Exec. Dir. of the Foundation.