Eleanor & Robert B. Abbe ’34

Robert is a participant in both Kent School’s Pooled High Income Fund and Charitable Gift Annuity Programs.

"Not only was the academic education superb, but the life-long habits acquired during five years of living and participating in all the activities as a student have stood me in good stead, and I am forever thankful to be able, in a small way, to repay my debt to Kent School. I could probably write a book on what Pater did when he founded Kent and what he did for me personally as a student, but I didn’t learn to be an author, just an engineer.”

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Robert Bergman (Hon.) ’24

Between 1991 and the present, Bob Bergman (Hon.) '24 and his Kent companion of many years, the late Nathaniel N. Noble ’24, made eighteen gifts to Kent School’s Pooled High Income Fund. In recent years, Bob has switched from that Fund’s variable income to the age-related, fixed income guaranteed by Kent School’s Charitable Gift Annuity Program, obtaining (in 2001 at age 74) a pay out rate of 7.1% and, with his twentieth and most recent gift this year, a guaranteed 7.6% pay out for life.

“I have found that Kent School’s charitable investment life-income plans help me significantly. I can also take pleasure in knowing that one day they will help many new and bright Kent students as well. For my own retirement planning, I count my investments in Kent School’s Pooled High Income Fund and in its Charitable Gift Annuity Program as better than the ‘wobbly’ government Social Security system."

William Berle Borsdorff ’35

In 1999 Bill created a 6% Charitable Remainder Unitrust funded with over $6.8 million in highly appreciated securities – the largest single gift in Kent’s history. Bill’s gift is for endowment in support of faculty salaries.

“I just want Kent to be the best darn school in New England.”

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Thomas M. Boyd ’58 - Gift of IRA assets by secondary beneficiary assignment

To give away highly taxable IRA assets after my wife and I pass away was the only way I could make a major gift to thank Kent for the huge contribution it made to my life. JOP, Tote Walker and other masters who took a personal interest in my development that went beyond just course education. When my first son was applying to Kent, Peter Bragdon (then head of Admissions) looked over at my younger son and said “Your older son is accepted and now we look forward to seeing your younger son here later as well—you are family.” I am happy to pass along some of my assets to my family.

Jacquelyn Cobden (Hon.) ’41

In the spirit of ’41 “always there for Kent,” Jacquelyn Cobden in 1999 pledged a series of outright gifts, independent of her Annual Giving, to create the Richard and Jacquelyn Cobden ’41 Annual Giving Endowment Fund.

"Dick and I will always be there for Kent and the future well-being of its students with contributions annually in perpetuity from our portion of the Annual Giving Endowment Fund. I think this is a marvelous way to honor Dick and the Class of 1941 while helping subsidize Kent. Any School that can turn out students with the character of the Class of 1941 is worthy of our support.”

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William A. Howland ’32

In 1998, through The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Bill established the William A. H. Howland Charitable Remainder Unitrust. As one of its remainder beneficiaries, Kent’s interest has a value sufficient to endow The William A. H. Howland ’32 WWII Memorial Career Teaching Chair in History.

“I would like the money I am leaving to Kent to be given in memory of those from Kent who lost their lives in WWII and also to be a small contribution to help Kent continue to maintain the high standards of education that it has always enjoyed.”

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Charles F. Lippincott '58 and Wife Eva

In May of 2002 Charles made Kent School the secondary beneficiary of a substantial Individual Retirement Account.

My gift to Kent is a thank offering for blessings bestowed, and these I measure not in honors received, academic or sports, but rather the contribution made in developing me and ultimately my life.

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Edward Rawson ’32

Ed was Kent’s first participant in its Charitable Gift Annuity Program.

“This is the fifth Gift Annuity Agreement I’ve made. Each is a simple contract requiring no fee. The advantages far outweigh any drawbacks. Through a Gift Annuity I can lock in a good rate of return (11.3% for me currently), impossible except at very high risk with any other security! In each case I’ve exchanged a highly appreciated security, subject to market fluctuations, for a guaranteed income for life; I receive a substantial charitable tax deduction; much of my annuity income is either a tax-free return of principal or taxed at the 15% capital gains rate (only a portion is taxed as ordinary income); and, last but not least, I have the satisfaction of knowing I am ultimately contributing to a worthy institution.”

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Kenneth S. Roberts '49

Early in The Campaign For The Permanent Kent, Ken Roberts ’49 established a substantial Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust with himself and his wife Sue Ellen as lifetime “income beneficiaries” and Kent School as “remainder beneficiary.” To leverage the impact of his deferred gift, Ken took out a $1 million life insurance policy, making Kent School the beneficiary. Yearly, he makes a 100% deductible gift to Kent School of a pre-determined size. The School then uses the bulk of each annual gift to pay the annual insurance premium on this policy. The combined value of Ken’s Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust and life insurance policy when ultimately received by the School will be of a magnitude sufficient to create an endowed scholarship fund in his name that will, annually, extend to half a dozen capable and deserving students the opportunities he once enjoyed.

“Sixty years ago the generosity of people unknown to me, made the impossible possible for the son of a truck farmer from south Jersey, and the experience – five wonderful and challenging years at Kent – forever changed my life. Blessed, now, with the means to do so, how could I not seize the chance to turn the opportunities I received long ago into opportunities that will be given to others? Kent School has a long and proud tradition of extending a helping hand to those in need. Everyone needs a leg up in life, especially in one’s formative years. I got my leg up. Now I want to give it to others. In both, I have found great satisfaction!”

H. Alexander Salm ’37

In 1998 Alex created a 6% Charitable Remainder Unitrust with a substantial amount of highly appreciated securities. Alex has since taken advantage of the unique, open-ended characteristic of the Unitrust by increasing its corpus to an amount sufficient to endow the H. Alexander Salm ’37 Career Teaching Chair in American History.

“Kent’s teachers honed the edges of my education, sharpening my skills for Dartmouth and for life. I am happy to do what I can to bolster the School’s ability to attract and retain the best teachers possible.”

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Boynton M. Schmitt ’44 - In 2001 Boynton Schmitt ’44 funded a Charitable Lead Trust with assets from which he had no need of immediate income. Over a ten year period, this trust will generate a series of substantial outright gifts to Kent School and two other charities Boynton has chosen to support. Of the gift that comes to Kent School each year, one-third is an unrestricted gift to the Annual Fund and two-thirds goes toward establishing an nnual Giving Endowment Fund in his name.

“I like the Charitable Lead Trust for several reasons: I can transfer assets directly to my heirs at substantially lower gift and estate tax costs (and no probate), and I can enjoy helping endow Kent and other charities with trust income during the time preceding receipt of the trust principal by my chosen heirs.”

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Lyn Doe Shipway '66 and
husband John "Dugan" Shipway

Lynn and Dugan have jointly provided in their wills for a bequest that will one day fund The John F. and Lynn Doe Shipway Scholarships. Once established, income from this endowed fund will – annually and in perpetuity – provide "one or more scholarships" so that capable and needy boys and girls can pursue the opportunity of a Kent education.

"I continue to ponder the reasons for the decision to make kent our beneficiary. Certainly, I was one of those who loved my years at Kent and I have enjoyed following the evolution of the School since I graduated.

Curiously, though, it was the challenges I struggled with at Kent that probably made the real difference. I had not "failed" at anything when I arrived as an invincible third former in 1962 and so, when chemistry proved too much for me, when personal relationships faltered, when I wasn't "on top" automatically, I truly didn't know what to do.

It was Coe deVillafranca, Esther Gassett, Bob Jones, Paula Searcy and a number of others who helped me help myself and learn that miserable lesson that little comes without hard work, determination and a bit of luck.

Kent was my "luck", I suppose, and if our bequest can help some future students surmount their challenges as successfully, Dugan and I are pleased to make it."

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Louis C. "Cy" Theobald, Jr. and
wife Jean Theobald

In November, 2001, Kent School was informed of a wonderful gift in the form of a living trust established by Louis C. "Cy" Theobald, Jr., through his will on behalf of himself and his late beloved wife, Jean. In time, proceeds from this trust will create the Cy Theobald Scholarship Fund. In accordance with Cy and Jean's wishes, income from this endowed fund will be awarded annually to "needy and deserving student athletes who best exemplify the traditions of Kent School."

"It is very important for me to know that what Jean and I worked very hard for, and gladly give back to Kent, will be used for its intended purpose."

Read more about Cy and Jean