When Stuart Rice, the Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, lost his wife, Marion Ruth Rice, in 1994, he began to think about a memorial commemorating her life and their 42 years of marriage.

In 1997, Professor Rice decided he would make a gift to the University: the Michigan summer cottage he and Marion had enjoyed together. At the same time, he retained a life interest in the property. With the gift of the cottage he established the Marion and Stuart Rice Research Endowment, which provides funding for innovative research by tenured faculty.

Professor Rice maintains use of the cottage while he is alive. In addition, he received a charitable gift deduction in the year he made his gift. If he relinquishes the cottage before his death, Professor Rice will benefit from a second deduction.

“I wanted to create a permanent memorial for my wife,” says Professor Rice. “The University seemed like a natural venue, because it has enabled me to combine my avocation and vocation, as well as benefit from great collegiality and good students.”