Meet Robert (Bob) Altieri
Bob’s story is one of service and devotion. A third-generation Italian, he earned a degree from University of California at Berkeley, joined the Army before earning a master’s degree, also at Berkeley and dedicated more than 30 years to the Government Service Agency (GSA) in San Francisco. Following his GSA retirement, he moved to Sonoma, California where he lived for more than twenty years. He had been planning to move East, to the area west of Albany, New York but no longer had family there. Then after meeting Tom and selling his home in Sonoma, he came to Shepherdstown.
Robert (Bob) Altieri met Thomas (Tom) Miller online in September 2020, Tom living on the East Coast, Bob on the West Coast. What began as a digital introduction quickly became an instant connection, and by the spring of 2021, Bob made the East Coast his home alongside Tom. Together, they built a life filled with interests in travel, art, friends and family, and service to their community.
After relocating to West Virginia Bob realized his estate documents would need to be changed and in doing this work, he made the decisions that have resulted in his gift to the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. He chose the Trust Department at Potomac Bank (formerly BCT) to be the administrator of this Trust. This legacy included six funds named in memory of family members, and—much to Tom’s surprise—two gifts honoring Tom himself. Bob’s passion for supporting disadvantaged children guided his philanthropy, creating gifts of ministry and a fund to feed children.
Tom speaks lovingly of Bob generosity, sharing how he had no idea of the assets Bob held—because what mattered most to him was Bob’s gentle, loving spirit, calm demeanor, and deep willingness to serve a community he had just recently embraced. “It was Tom’s own previous experience with EWVCF that brought Bob’s legacy to our community,” shared Susan Caperton, EWVCF Executive Director and CEO. “Because Bob desired his legacy to remain local, support now and in the future, is being directed from Bob and Tom’s funds to causes and nonprofits close to their hearts.
When Bob fell ill in the fall of 2023, they faced his health journey together. By late spring 2024 the couple faced the reality of limited time together. Bob passed away in May 2024. Through tears, Tom reflected on his brief yet fulfilling time together: “He didn’t live long enough. I miss him terribly.” Tom is committed to honoring the gifts Bob made in his name that support programs that feed children in the Eastern Panhandle. “It would be ideal to teach children to cook,” Tom added, “to give them a skill that makes them strong and independent contributors to our community.” That would make Bob very proud.
What is the Legacy Society?
Legacy Society members are creating charitable endowments tomorrow by making planned gifts today. Recording one’s charitable intentions also serve as a guidepost for family and friends, thereby establishing a simple way for loved ones to support nonprofit organizations and charitable causes that are near and dear to you.
There are various ways to make a planned gift, and we hope you will involve the Foundation in your gift before you make it. A planned gift is an extraordinary way to leave a lasting legacy to honor you, your family, and your community. Often, the Community Foundation will not receive your planned gift for years to come, but we are here to help you plan for the future.
Working in concert with donors and their advisors, the Foundation and its affiliates help build an everlasting endowment—Gifts That Touch Lives, Forever. We encourage you to include your attorney, estate planner, and financial advisor in the discussion as you develop your gift plans. It’s the best way to make certain your charitable vision is crystal clear, ensure the tax-deductibility of your gift, and build your legacy.
Helpful Downloads:
To discuss creating your personal legacy, please call the Community Foundation.
Many of the competitive grants awarded by the Community Foundation each year are made possible thanks to members of our Legacy Society. You can leave a lasting impact on the community you love by including charitable giving as a part of your estate plan.
Members of our Legacy Society receive benefits including:
- Invitations to events exclusively for Legacy Society members
- Recognition in Community Foundation publications, if desired
- Full access to all donor services offered by the Community Foundation
- Options to direct your gift to specific causes, charities, or geographic areas
- The ability to maintain anonymity as a member, if desired
We are grateful to these esteemed community leaders who are active members of our Legacy Society:
Donald J. Baker, Jr. • Marva Barron • Richard Belisle • Walter and Mary Jo Ziler Brown • Jacqueline Burkett • Linda Case • David and Dana DeJarnett • Philip W. Fearnow • Patrick and Leigh Fleming • MaryAnn Hammann • Fred and Denise Hollida • Diane Johnston • George Karos • J.Philip Kesecker • Lori Kelly • Kitty Koepping • Wanda McCulley • Judi McIntyre • Tia McMillan • Thomas W. Miller • M. Elizabeth Oates • Don and Amy Owen • Robert Owens • Buzz and Lisa Poland • Ruth Pritchard • Frederick B. Rice • Lacy and Linda Rice • Scott and Linda Roach • Steven M. and Tina F. Roach • Jennifer Roberts • Dan and Edith Sampson • Janet I. Smith • William L. and Bonnie M. Stubblefield • Michael Barry Tallent • Brian and Darlene Truman • Terry Lee and Margaret Walker • Don and Patty Weakley • Paul and Lisa Welch • Michael and Susan Hawkens Whalton • Bill and Nancy White • Robert B. Yoe
We’ve gratefully received these Legacy Society gifts to date. Although these generous donors are missed in our community, their contributions will continue to benefit residents throughout the Eastern Panhandle for generations to come.
Robert Altieri • Dennis D. Barron • William Henry Bean • Helen Jackson Bowser • Robert G. Burke • John Burkett • Helen Chambers • Jerry L. Derflinger • Richard S. Durham • Solomon Fine • Frank C. Fischer • G. Scott Funkhouser • Virginia L. Gibbons • Conrad C. Hammann • Ruth Heishman • John and Eleanor Houyoux • Floyd E. Jacques • Thomas and Harriet Weakly Johnson • James E. Keel • Doris L. Kesecker • Frank Koepping • Arthur H. Miller • C. David and Barbara L. Miller • Jeral Ann Milton • Nancy E. Needy • Elda G. Painter • Leona Reynolds • Doug and Joan Roach • Paul Ropp • Myrtle J. Schneiderhan • Stephen W. Sensabaugh • Elizabeth Shade • Lester A. Smith • Jane P. Snyder • John S. Wharton • Henry K. Willard II • Helen Mae Wolford • Gretchen Wurzburg