He Puts the 'Active' in 'Active Duty'

Retired Marine Makes Planned Donation to Tarleton

Richard Beil Jr. with his wife

Richard Beil Jr. and his wife, Cathy, (center) at their gift signing.

Richard Beil Jr. is a stick-with-it kind of guy.

The retired U.S. Marine lieutenant colonel was in the corps for three decades, he will be married to his wife for 32 years in September and he recently made a donation to support Tarleton State University, where he earned his master's degree more than 20 years ago.

Along the way he has been around the world twice, stepped foot on every continent, been a history and government professor on board warships and been a docent at one of the nation's premier military history museums. Now, he has been hired to teach welding to state highway department employees.

"I just try to figure out different things to do," he says, "rather than sitting in the recliner watching television all day."

His master's degree in government in 1993 was his connection to Tarleton. He needed the graduate degree to take what he called the most interesting job he has had since leaving the Marines.

"I applied for a special program with Central Texas College, which had a contract with the Navy providing college instructors to go aboard warships, forward deployed, to allow sailors the opportunity to get college credit while they serve," he explains. "I'd get a call, then a plane ticket. I'd go to meet the ship and sail for eight weeks. I did that for about 10 years."

Education was important to Richard, whose frequent moves during his military career required frequent starts and stops while studying for his bachelor's in criminal justice.

"I had to go to night school while I was on active duty. It took about 10 years, but I finally got my degree from Chaminade University while I was stationed in Hawaii."

After his career in uniform, Richard reconnected with the lady who would become his wife, Cathy. They had known each other during their high school days in Houston.

"After high school we went separate ways," he says. "I went into the Marines and she went to North Texas State and got her teaching certificate."

While he was serving across the globe, she was teaching school and raising a family, before becoming a widow.

"We met at our 20-year high school reunion in 1987," Richard says. "We were married three months later. We've been together ever since."

The couple lived in Gatesville for 30 years before recently moving to Copperas Cove.

Their gift to Tarleton had originally been earmarked for the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, where Richard had served as a docent.

He was so impressed with the museum, he purchased memorial plaques there to honor his paternal grandfather, who was a World War I veteran; his father and brother, who were both Marines in World War II; and his maternal grandfather, who was one of the original "Seabees" in WWII.

After much consideration, Richard and Cathy figured their donation could best be put to use at Tarleton. They donated $1,000 to establish the Tarleton State University President's Fund for Excellence, and they have made a bequest of their estate to the Foundation for that fund.

"We wanted to make a meaningful bequest," Richard says. "I really wanted to make it clear that there are no strings attached. I want the president to spend it on what he sees fit, whatever he thinks will benefit the University and the students."

It goes on the list of follow-through decisions.

It's what Richard Beil Jr. does: Stick with it.

There are many ways you can make an impact on Tarleton and on our students with a gift for the future, like Richard has. To learn more, contact Janice Horak at jhorak@tarleton.edu or 254-968-9857.

 

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Tarleton State University Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

 Bequest Language

"I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Tarleton State University Foundation, Inc. [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

"I, [name], of [city, state ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Tarleton State University [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Tarleton or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Tarleton as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Tarleton as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Tarleton where you agree to make a gift to Tarleton and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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