[Posted on behalf of Scott Fee] Ron Simmons' Legacy:
Cavers who knew Ron Simmons were devastated to hear of his death in Allen Mill Pond cave in February. A life member of the NSS, Lew Bicking award recipient, cutting edge explorer, and accomplished photographer, Ron was of one of the caving community's most outstanding members, contributing significantly to the development of caving techniques and our knowledge of numerous cave systems. He was a hero and friend to many of us, and will be missed. However, even after his death, Ron will continue to contribute to cave exploration and speleology, and be a hero to the Society and its members. The NSS is honored to have received a generous legacy from Ron Simmons. As the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, the NSS International Cave Exploration Fund received about $105,000. That legacy quadruples the value of the fund, and will greatly increase the amount of investment income it will earn annually. This, in turn, will increase the number and value of Exploration Grants we can award each year to NSS members to support their cave exploration projects. Additionally, the Society received nearly $70,000 from Ron's retirement account for the Publications Special Features Fund, which editors may use to print extraordinary issues of the NSS News and the Journal of Cave and Karst Science. I want to encourage NSS members to consider following Ron's example. Please remember the Society when you craft your will and establish beneficiaries for your retirement accounts and insurance policies. Like Ron's, your legacy can live on with the NSS, and you can continue to contribute in a meaningful way to caving, cavers, and speleology long after you've left us. If you have any questions about how to include the NSS in your estate plans, don't hesitate to contact me. Donors designating $10,000 or more for the Society will become members of the NSS's prestigious Stephenson Group and will be recognized annually in the Members Manual. Scott Fee Permission is giving to circulate this announcement on any caving related newsletter, web page or list-serve. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: texascavers-unsubscr...@texascavers.com For additional commands, e-mail: texascavers-h...@texascavers.com
