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OPB and public broadcasting provides a legacy of
family tradition

By Mark Roberts - Perhaps 40 years, certainly 30 years of enjoying public broadcasting is what prompted my folks, Art and Jeanne Roberts, to include Oregon Public Broadcasting in their will.

Public broadcasting, "educational TV" as we first called it, was an important influence for my folks and our family for many years. My first recollection is of the whole family sitting around the only TV we had to watch The French Chef. My mom, Jeanne, the home economics teacher, was amazed yet critiquing the sequencing of steps and admiring the obvious planning and off-camera preparation. My dad, Art, mimicking Julia Child’s enthusiasm with a ready flourish by pouring imaginary wine into all of our wine glasses as a salute to the program’s finale. We kids, momentarily caught up in a full-family event that was pure fun – even if we didn’t understand much of the art of French cooking.

Art and Jeanne were big fans and members of Oregon Public Broadcasting. The big programs we all know as their favorites, which include the McNeil/Lehrer Report, Masterpiece Theater, Oregon Field Guide and Nova, were important to them. They watched many other public broadcasting programs– commercial TV was something that did not, frankly, merit discussion in family conversations as compared to: "Did you see that program on OPB the other night?"

Art and Jeanne were always members of public TV, first KCET in California where we first lived and now OPB in Portland, Oregon where they chose to live and raise the family.

Their lasting gift to OPB through their will is a testament to the importance public broadcasting plays in our community and daily lives. We are grateful for their thoughtful estate gift that will bring the benefits of public broadcasting to future generations.

A legacy of service to the community and OPB

Lou and Del Greenfield's days were filled with action. Together they worked hard to support what they believed in, including political causes, the peace movement – and Oregon Public Broadcasting. The Greenfields loved OPB and its commitment to independent news so much so they left a significant gift to the station in their estate.

"My parents felt that OPB offered the only news that was meaningful," said the Greenfield’s son Mark. "My dad and mom felt strongly about education and quality in all things, which is what OPB brings to the community each day."

Among their favorite programs were NOW With Bill Moyers, Frontline, Great Performances and A Prairie Home Companion.

The Greenfields grew up on the East Coast during the Depression. Del and Lou’s parents were all Ukrainian Jewish immigrants and Del's mother was a sweatshop organizer. The couple met and married in Philadelphia where Lou was a pharmacist and Del a school secretary. They moved to New Jersey where they bought the Erlton Pharmacy where they both worked. Del also volunteered and served as director for the South Jersey Peace Center. Eventually, they sold the pharmacy and, in 1973, moved to Oregon to be near their grown children.

Oregon proved the perfect place for Lou and Del to immerse themselves in the community. Lou worked in real estate and in sales for Home Box Office. And in addition to spending time with family, they labored tirelessly on behalf of many political and social organizations. Over the years, Del traveled to Hungary, Russia and Mexico in support of the Physicians for Social Responsibility. For over a decade, she served as executive director of the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, creating a legacy of events such as the annual Waterfront Park Hiroshima Day to honor the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

"My mom had very strong feelings about what it means to be a citizen, and she instilled that in her three children, being informed, being a visible member of the community and standing up for what you believe in,” said Bonnie Regan, her daughter.

The Greenfield's extraordinary commitment to family and community has enriched many lives. Their wonderful estate gift to OPB is truly a gift to us all and will serve to help OPB educate, inform and engage future generations for years to come.

Honoring a loved one with a gift that gives back

Virginia Dolman gave in memory of her husband, Mahlon.

"My husband, Mahlon, loved listening to OPB Radio and watching OPB TV. We always talked about making a special gift to the station. I am so happy to be able to honor his wishes with a charitable gift annuity in his memory," Virginia Dolman said.

Virginia called Julie Feely at Oregon Public Broadcasting to talk about how she could honor her husband with a gift that would pay her an income for life. Virginia decided to take $10,000 from a savings account and gift it to OPB.

Virginia enjoys an 8.5 percent rate of return, a guaranteed income for life, and she received a charitable tax deduction as well. She also appreciates being able to give back to OPB in such a meaningful way.

A gift for the next generation

Larry and Judith Ruben are passionate about education. Larry is an emeritus professor of biology at Reed College and, after 52 years in the classroom, he still maintains an active research lab and advises thesis students.

"I believe education is crucial to our future and so is OPB. That is why Judith and I established a charitable remainder trust to OPB. We want to know that OPB's valuable programming will be here for the next generation to enjoy," Larry said.

For Larry and Judith, funding the trust with appreciated assets made sense because it transformed their capital gains tax liability into a charitable investment in the community.




Giving back to our children

Heather Down is an active volunteer for the community, especially for her neighborhood elementary school. A retired teacher, Heather spends time each week working in the kindergarten classroom helping the children to learn the alphabet, numbers and beginning to read.

“My children grew up on Sesame Street and now my grandchildren are challenged by the sly fun of Between the Lions. I also see the children in the classroom learning English and learning to read with the help of these children's programs," Heather said.

Heather wanted to make a gift that would benefit OPB and support these important programs. She learned she could do that and receive a fixed income payment for life with an OPB charitable gift annuity.

The gift annuity Heather established with OPB pays her a 7.9 percent return based on her age and she received a charitable tax deduction as well.

"OPB programs are found nowhere else, and there is always something interesting on OPB. We must all keep it a viable option, if only for the great children's programming," Heather added.

OPB programming inspires gift

OPB is an important part of Richard Nau's life – so much so that he wants to assure that the programs that have meant so much to him over the years continue to inspire the generations that follow him. He determined the best way to do this was to include a generous bequest to OPB in his will.

Dr. Nau lives in Longview, Washington where he practiced pathology for 24 years until his retirement in 2003.

"I have enjoyed so many programs on OPB Radio and Television that have kept me informed and entertained," Dr. Nau said, pointing to such favorites as Morning Edition, Talk of the Nation, Nightly Business Report, NewsHour, Nature and Mystery!

Dr. Nau said he particularly enjoys Oregon Field Guide and Oregon Art Beat, and praises OPB's efforts with such productions as Meth: The Oregon Front, The Three Rabbis and Unfinished Journey: The Lewis and Clark Expedition. He hopes gifts like his and others will make it possible for OPB to continue to develop new local series and individual programs and expand coverage of the less-touched areas of Washington.

Dr. Nau wants the majority of his gift to be used to support programs that deal with the local region, its people and challenges.

Wake Up! to a gift that benefits the community long into the future

Tom and Gloria Peterson are Portland-area icons and loyal fans of OPB. They worked for many years to build a solid business selling television sets, stereo systems and home appliances, and they developed an excellent reputation.

Tom is known for his trademark crew cut and his cheery, early morning television commercials. He also became one of the most well-known businessmen in Oregon.

As Tom and Gloria moved toward retirement and transitioned their company to the children, they began to think about how they could benefit the community for years to come.

"We love OPB, especially Oregon Field Guide, Austin City Limits and The Nightly Business Report. That is why we included OPB in our will. We want to make sure that the extraordinary programming will be available to our grandchildren and others for the future," Tom said.

Why we chose to put OPB in our will

A message from Jan and Jack McGowan

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