Couple gives back to Northwest through charitable gift annuity

With her husband's 90th birthday fast approaching, Helen Boyersmith Davis, wanted to do something special for him. Her thoughts turned to Northwest, where she and Bob Davis met in 1941.

Helen and Bob had been married for 68 years, and dated for two years before that, when Bob passed away Aug. 21 at the age of 91.

"For Bob and me, our journey began at Northwest," Helen said. "It was such a different time and place than today."

It was just before the United States became involved with World War II, and Northwest was starting to sponsor a special flight program. Helen, a St. Joseph native, had volunteered to coordinate dates for six young men, and she picked Bob when making the matches.

Helen cheered with the Green and White Peppers, served as co-editor for the Tower yearbook and offered her artistic abilities to numerous campus causes. She completed her bachelor's in education degree with majors in fine arts and French and a minor in English.

Helen and Bob were married a month after she completed her degree in 1944, and soon after Bob was called to active duty as a flight instructor for the Navy. Following the war, Bob enrolled at Northwest on the GI Bill. As a student, he joined Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity and Veteran's Club and was president of the Student Senate before completing his bachelor's in 1947 in secondary education in mathematics.

The Bearcat sweethearts, who lived in Boulder, Colo., furthered their education, both earning master's and doctoral degrees. They also joined the Northwest faculty in 1959, as Helen taught art and Bob taught physics. Bob retired as a meteorologist at the Bureau of Standards with the Department of Commerce in 1973, and Helen retired from teaching art and serving as a student-teacher supervisor at Colorado Women's College in 1976.

"Bob and I have been truly blessed in this life," Helen said. "We were fortunate to have obtained positions we loved that also enabled us to retire at a young age. Our hope is that this gift will assist the University in playing a significant role for others who choose to further their education at Northwest."

After experiencing Northwest as students, house parents, faculty and alumni, the Davises chose to show their appreciation to the institution by purchasing a $50,000 two-life charitable gift annuity.

"Northwest is happy to have played a part in this couple's journey, and we are grateful they have chosen to support their alma mater monetarily," said Mike Johnson, former vice president of university advancement. "Charitable gift annuities are a win-win-win situation as they benefit the donor, the University and our future students. By choosing an unrestricted designation for their annuity following their lifetimes, their gift will further assist by providing Northwest the flexibility of using the funds where the University's needs are the greatest."