Honoring Friendships A Special Thank-You
by Sara Sackner
hen medicine is practiced well, the doctor and patient relationship is primary. Another relationship of great importance is between a young doctor and his men-
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ked Questions costs in Thacher’s annual operating budget, gifts to the endowment do not count towards the Annual Fund. In addition to its general endowment, Thacher has over 170 named endowments designated by their founders for specific purposes. A new endowment can be created with a founding gift of $25,000. Whether you create a new endowment fund or make a gift to an existing one, you are supporting The Campaign for Thacher. Endowment funds that support faculty salaries and financial aid are among the top priorities for this Campaign. What if I want to give to a capital or building project? Thacher is committed to maintaining and improving its historic facility in ways that support its program but never overshadow its ranch culture. Building projects will commence in accordance with Thacher’s Campus Master Plan; funds for both building costs and for establishing sufficient endowment for on-going maintenance must be in hand before new construction begins. The first project to be addressed will be the renewal of the campus center, including the construction of the Thacher Commons and an
tor. Dr. John Saidy, father of John CdeP 1979 and Tom CdeP 1982, has been blessed with both experiences in his long career. In a serendipitous moment, these significant connections sparked a wonderful gift to The Campaign for Thacher.
only had his two sons graduated from Casa de Piedra, so did his friend and senior associate Dr. Oscar Hills CdeP 1934 and his two sons, Oscar CdeP 1973 and Stephen C d e P 1 9 7 7 . D r. Saidy knew that there could be no better way to honor Oscar W. Hills Dr. Hills, who passed away in 1989, than with a gift to Thacher.
Last August, Dr. Saidy received an unexpected call informing him that a longtime patient, Hazel Baumeister, had passed away and that he was to distribute half of her estate to his choice of worthy causes. “It’s an amazing experience to be a philanthropist of this magnitude,” Dr. Saidy remarked. “Not much is known about Hazel, a former executive secretary who passed away Dr. Oscar W. Hills was born in Chefoo, China, from Alzheimer’s, leaving no heirs.” where his father, also a doctor, practiced medicine. He returned to Pasadena, California, a Dr. Saidy immediately thought of Thacher young boy with an English accent (from his govamong several other fine institutions. Not erness) and complete control of Mandarin. Following his time at Thacher, Dr. Hills attended Yale and Harvard Medical School, and worked Hannah Uscinski ’05 (Hong Kong) and at the Mayo Clinic where he and Dr. Saidy met. Montana Caset ’05 (Argentina) “Dr. Hills was well-educated, not only because of the fine schools he attended, but because he continued to study throughout his life. He was very pragmatic and incisive in his thinking. A good bridge player, he was also one of the great sports fans of all times, favoring the Red Sox and 49ers for many years. Dr. Hills loved the outdoors, both hunting and fishing, and remained Arts Center, the renovation of the Hills Dining much more interested in the natural world Hall, and the relocation of the Chase Infirmary. than in man’s monuments.” Other priorities include the construction of additional faculty homes and the renovation of Dr. Saidy came to California several years after The Hill, the Lower School, and the Casa de Dr. Hills; they practiced at Stanford, UC San Piedra Dormitories. Your gift for a particular Francisco, and in private practice together. building or renovation of existing facilities supThrough the years, their professional and perports The Campaign for Thacher, but is not sonal friendship grew. In honor of Dr. Hills, credited toward the Annual Fund. Dr. Saidy directed $100,000 from the Hazel Reed Baumeister Trust to The Thacher EnWhat if I want to include Thacher in my estate dowment for scholarships. The School sends plans? a special thank-you to Dr. Saidy for sharing the best of medicine and philanthropy. There are several ways that you might consider remembering Thacher in your estate plans. One of the most common is through an outright bequest or by naming Thacher as the beneficiary of your retirement plan. Planned gifts such as If you are interested in learning more about Charitable Remainder Trusts or The Thacher planned giving, or any other ways to support School Pooled Income Fund may allow you to The Campaign for Thacher, we invite you to make a larger gift to Thacher than you thought contact: possible and potentially enjoy benefits such as increased income, reduced income taxes, or reThe Alumni and Development Office duced capital gains or estate taxes. Irrevocable Phone 805-646-4377 planned gifts made during the Campaign are www.thacher.org credited to The Campaign for Thacher at their alumni@thacher.org e present value. Spring / Summer 2002 page 27