Jim and Ria Hess leave a legacy gift and support medical care in the community.
By Susie Steckner
Jim and Ria Hess have enjoyed many blessings during their 48-year marriage: a long career, world travel, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, an active lifestyle and interesting hobbies in retirement.
In planning their estate, the Sun City West couple decided to give back in a way that supports the health of their fellow community members. They established a legacy gift through Sun Health Foundation to support Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West, so that it can continue providing superior health care in the community.
Jim and Ria have always been grateful for convenient access to exceptional health care, which was never more important than when Jim needed a double knee replacement. He received excellent care at different times from both Banner Del E. Webb and Sun City’s Banner Boswell Medical Center.
The couple’s legacy gift helps ensure that others will have access to needed health care.
“It just seems like the right thing to do, to give back,” Jim says. “If you’ve been helped, you can help someone else.”
The couple has lived in Sun City West since 1991. They enjoy a full life in retirement with tennis, golf, clubs and activities. The couple met in Holland through the company where they both worked – Jim as an engineer and Ria as a secretary. What began with dinner and movie dates ended in an engagement and eventually marriage in 1969.
Jim and Ria traveled around the world with Jim’s work as a project engineer and manager in the refinery and petrochemical plant construction field. They called places like Holland, Belgium, Dubai, Puerto Rico and Canada home.
When the couple retired and put down roots in Arizona, friends joked about finally being able to jot down an address for the well-traveled couple in pen–rather than pencil.
Philanthropy is an important part of the couple’s life. They support engineering scholarships and a legacy gift at Jim’s alma mater, the University of Arizona.
Helping support the future of health care is equally important. Jim and Ria are grateful for the range of health care options available nearby. “The convenience is just great,” Jim says.
Their legacy gift through the Foundation benefits Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center and its new progressive care unit. The new unit is designed to enhance patient care, boost aesthetics, improve workflow for staff, and increase patient and family satisfaction.
Pamela Gralton Kohnen, the Foundation’s senior development director, notes that health care is rapidly changing and improving. Financial support is vital to ensure that the community continues to have convenient access to quality care.
“The legacy gift is one of the most beautiful gifts. It shows that Jim and Ria want to make a difference in health care into the future,” she says.
Jim adds, “Our family is well aware and agrees with our planned legacy gift. We know we are providing an example for our children, as well as others.”
Ria continues, “I think it’s important. You feel you should do something that other people will benefit from.”
