Personal Giving Stories

REUSS DONATES FAMILY FARM TO ESTABLISH FAMILY LEGACY

“I believe the education we received had a major impact on the success and quality of life for both families. This scholarship fund is our way of giving back in acknowledgment of that fact.” —Dick Reuss

Richard (Dick) Reuss (’54) recently donated his family’s Centennial Farm to establish the “Lawrence Reuss and Florence House Reuss Family Scholarship Fund,” which bears the names of his parents. “The Reuss and House families both have several U of I alums going back to 1920,” Dick says. The farm income will provide dozens of scholarships each year to disadvantaged students with a focus on those in Moultrie County, Illinois, where his father was raised, and Washington County, Illinois, where his mother grew up.

“The gift to the U of I was originally my dad’s idea, and I completely agreed; so when he passed, I put the gift in my will,” Dick explains. “I only recently decided to give the land now instead of letting it pass at my death. This will permit me to see how it helps the scholarship recipients, and it also results in major income-tax savings. I’m anxious to learn more about the first group of recipients this fall,” he adds.

This exceptional gift by Dick Reuss will stand as a permanent reminder of his family’s generosity and commitment to providing others the same opportunities they had to go to college and achieve a life of success and fulfillment.

The U of I Foundation gift planning staff is pleased to answer your questions and offer assistance at any time. Please contact the Foundation to learn more.