Why I Give: Bob Witmeyer BS ’71 MS ‘76
Why I Give: Bob Witmeyer BS ’71 MS ‘76
From crawling the hallways of the art school on Washington St. at two years old to completing his Master of Science in Business in 1976, Bob Witmeyer’s relationship with RIT stems from a long family legacy.
As the son of Stan Witmeyer, who was loyal to RIT for decades, having served as head of the art school, former president of the alumni association, and a distinguished alumnus, Bob had a tremendous appreciation for RIT’s rich culture of creativity long before he was officially a Tiger and attending RIT was only natural.
“It’s been a great ride. My life has always been connected in one way or another, to this day to RIT. And I have to give a lot of credit to RIT, as to how I got where I am and who I am.”
As a student, Bob studied business administration and was an active member of the campus community, serving on the dedication committee for the RIT Henrietta Campus in 1968 and a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
“I was a good student, but I did a lot of other outside things, and those things were as important in your personal growth as the classroom.”
His fraternity experience with Phi Sigma Kappa resulted in lifelong friendships and valuable life skills.
“We built wonderful relationships. We had artists, engineers, photographers, and printers, and you put all those people in the same room, and it’s amazing what you learn. We organized fundraisers to support members in need, which created priceless moments of support."
While completing his master’s degree, Bob worked in admissions, where he helped build the reputation and programs in the College of Science that paved the way for the school’s current Ph.D. offerings, and served as the tennis coach for two years.
Following his time at RIT, Bob started his industry career at Mobil Chemical and later started his own company with another RIT Phi Sigma alum, crediting his success there to relationships formed at RIT.
"With a few years of experience, I didn't send out resumes; I called people I knew. The connections you make, you never know where you’re going to go.”
Bob takes pride in RIT's success and is committed to its future, knowing every effort counts. The lasting influence and loyalty RIT has instilled in him have driven his desire to give back, with his ability to do so growing as his career progressed.
"I now give to a scholarship through the Sentinel Society. I do this by donating stocks, which lowers my capital gains taxes, enabling me to give more significantly. Tuition only accounts for percentage of college costs, thus alumni funding is critical."
Bob has also included RIT in his will, but knows participation extends beyond financial contributions. He encourages fellow alumni to engage in activities that foster community, such as attending sporting events or volunteering for mentorship opportunities.
"Whether it's a small gift or offering your time, every contribution counts and demonstrates your commitment to the RIT community. I promote RIT at every opportunity because alumni support is critical.”
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Legacy Planning
Thoughtful planning is essential to ensure that your wishes are effectively communicated and your legacy is preserved for future generations. By engaging in this proactive process, you can provide financial security for your loved ones, minimize potential conflicts, and potentially reduce the tax burden on your estate.
Additionally, legacy planning allows you to support charitable causes and create a lasting impact that reflects your personal beliefs and priorities. Ultimately, it offers peace of mind, knowing that your life's work and aspirations will be honored and sustained according to your intentions.
The most popular and flexible way you can support organizations you care about the most is through a bequest intention, a gift commitment made through your will or trust. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made to family, friends or RIT as part of your estate plan.
By including a bequest intention in your estate plan, you have the power to shape the future of RIT for our students. Your support ensures that future generations of students will have access to a transformative RIT educational experience.
