This is not so much a news item as an “olds” item that is only now making its way through the sf blogosphere. On 16 July, Denver’s National Jewish Health released a press release announcing Largest Gift in History of National Jewish Health Received from Author David Eddings, though they apparently neglected to circulate it among the sf community. The day before, Eddings’ alma mater, Oregon’s Reed College, announced their own bequest from the Eddings estate: $18 million.
National Jewish Health’s press release starts by telling readers that best-selling fantasy author Eddings died in June (see this obituary), just over two years after his wife and sometime co-author Leigh (see this obituary). It notes that “the total Eddings estate is estimated at $30 million. Mr. Eddings’ alma mater, Reed College, will receive two-thirds and National Jewish Health one-third. Consistent with their wishes, the Eddings’s gift to National Jewish Health will be used to pioneer new approaches in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of childhood asthma.
“The gift to National Jewish Health was inspired by Ms. Eddings. She suffered from asthma most of her life. According to her attorney and brother-in-law, she wanted to leave money to an institution that could make a difference in the fight against childhood asthma, and chose National Jewish Health. National Jewish Health has been recognized as a world leader in the research and treatment of asthma in children and adults. Earlier today it was named the nation’s #1 respiratory hospital for the 12th consecutive year by US News & World Report.”
For more on the bequest, or National Jewish Health, see the full text of the press release.
Reed College says of its share: “David Eddings, famed fantasy fiction author and 1954 Reed College graduate, has made a bequest in excess of $18 million to Reed College. The gift is among the largest contributions to the college since Amanda Reed’s bequest established the institution 98 years ago.
“Eddings directed that his gift be used to support students and faculty across the college with emphasis given to those studying language and literature. More than two thirds of the gift will provide financial aid to help students of limited financial means attend Reed. In addition, funds will endow the David Eddings Professorship in the English department and support the cataloguing and maintenance of David Eddings’ archives, which the author also gave to the college. Reed has already received $14 million of the gift.”
Reed’s Vice President of College Relations, Hugh Porter, said “It is a generous gift, the product of a lifetime of intellectual labor and deep interest in providing similar educational opportunities to future hardworking students. At a time when the college struggles to meet families’ need for scholarship support, this new endowed fund is timely and will allow the college to increase funds available for financial aid as well as the academic program. The record of David’s writing and his success are astonishing. We welcome this opportunity to recognize his achievement and to catalogue and maintain his archives.”
For Reed’s complete press release, see this page.