Albany Democrat Herald, OR
12-22-07
Loomis estate gives $2.8 million
Frugal couple donate to local nonprofits; more to come with land sale
By KYLE ODEGARD
Corvallis Gazette-Times
Former Oregon State University professor W. David Loomis and his wife, Jane
M. Loomis, were low-profile people who lived extremely frugally. Their main
mode of transportation for years was a succession of old International trucks,
said family friends Craig and Nancy Leman.
But the Loomises — both of whom died earlier this year — were hidden
millionaires, and this week, their estate brightened up the holidays by giving
away $2.8 million. Six local nonprofits — the Corvallis-Benton County Library
Foundation, the Greenbelt Land Trust, the Benton County Historical Society, the
OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop, the Majestic Theatre and the Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Corvallis — each will receive $350,000, said trustee Ron Marek, a
Corvallis attorney.
The news surprised nonrofits and even close friends like the Lemans.
“I worried about their finances. I had no idea,” said Craig Leman. “I offered to
help with medical expenses.”
“I think people were surprised at the size of their estate probably,” said Carolyn
Rawles-Heiser, library director.
The duo had been longtime donors to the library and the Majestic Theatre.
“This was much more,” said Tim Flowerday, the Majestic’s executive director.
Also receiving $350,000 this week were the Iowa State University Foundation
and Vassar College.
And more could be on the way for the eight beneficiaries.
The couple owned 610 acres of land adjacent to the Deschutes National Forest
near Bend that Marek said has been appraised at $2.35 million. That property will
be sold and the money from the sale divided among the same recipients.
“I hope the Deschutes National Forest will buy it,” Marek said. And he’s hoping
that will result in an extra $300,000 for each beneficiary.
The appraisal is only a guess as to what the property is worth, he noted. “There
aren’t that many parcels like this around,” Marek added.
W. David Loomis, a graduate of Iowa State University, was a professor of
biochemistry and biophysics at OSU for 40 years.
“He was very brilliant, very single-minded and he made some important
discoveries,” including isolating enzymes from plant cells without degradation
and mint research, said Chris Matthews, distinguished professor emeritus.
Loomis also was an active outdoorsman, and involved in organizing Hoodoo
Mountain Resort.
He met his wife when he was an undergraduate, and she was a graduate student
in Ames.
Jane M. Loomis received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College. After
the couple married and settled in Corvallis, she became active in many local civic
organizations.
The couple moved to Corvallis in 1953, and since 1960 had lived on Pettibone
Road.
W. David Loomis died March 17 at the age of 81. His wife died Sept. 11, at the
age of 84. They had no children.
Earlier this month, the Loomis estate donated a total of $300,000 to the Nature
Conservancy, the Friends of the Valley Library at OSU and the Iowa State
University Foundation.
“I hope the Loomis’ generosity will set an example of what people can do for their
community,” Marek said.
Kyle Odegard covers Oregon State University. He can be contacted at
kyle.odegard@lee.net or 758-9523.