Two bequests increase funding to support ASME Foundation programs

The ASME Foundation recently received two bequests from long-time members of ASME that will add $30,000 to the Foundation's support of ASME scholarships, K-12 activities and the Honors Program.

The first bequest, which totals nearly $29,000, was from the estate of Thomas C. Brown of South Africa. Brown was a member of ASME for 54 years and was employed by the Anglo-American Corp. of South Africa.

The second bequest was from Robert U. Blaser, an ASME member for 49 years, who left a $1,000 gift to the ASME Foundation in his will.

Commenting on Blaser's loyalty to the Canton-Alliance-Massillon Section, ASME Governor John B. Kitto Jr. said, "He was a member who loved meeting with his friends during the monthly dinner meetings, networking and keeping up-to-date on what was happening technically. Bob very much enjoyed the gatherings, even after retirement."

Blaser spent his entire professional career with Babcock and Wilcox. His responsibilities included work on the liquid metal fast breeder reactor and steam boilers. He retired in 1982 as technical manager in the accounting department.

Designating ASME as the beneficiary in a will, as Brown and Blaser did, is just one way members can make a planned gift.

Charitable gifts can provide significant current and future tax savings to members and their heirs. Gifts may be crafted to ensure that members and their loved ones have lifetime income.

For details about the various options for planned giving to the ASME Foundation, contact David Soukup, director of development for the ASME Foundation, at (212) 591-7397 or e-mail him at soukupd @asme.org.

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