b'A planned gift from the late Harold Wolff 43 exempli es his lifelong passion for family and Texas A&M University.H arold Wolff43 was known forhis fathers footsteps. I thought Ihim to do, Joan said. He wanted hishumility,buttwoareaswas destined to attend Concordiato positively impact the univer-inhislifemadehimextremelyUniversity in Austin, Mike recalled,sitys future.proud: his family and Texas A&Mbut Dad said, Why dont you try University. He cherished his wife,Texas A&M for a year? And if youBy passing his wealth to his chil-Georgia, and their three children dont like it, you can switch. Obvi- dren in a tax-advantaged manner, John Wolff, Joan Terrell and Mikeously, once you go to Texas A&M,the gift has further expanded the Wolff83andprioritizedtimeits in your blood, so I stayed, heWolffconnection in Aggieland by spent together.addedwithalaugh.Followinghelping four of Harolds grandchil-Harolds example of civic and com- dren attend Texas A&M. Mom and He also demonstrated his passionmunity involvement, Mike becameDad were strong advocates of life-for Aggieland by visiting campusactively involved at Texas A&M,long learning, and these payments for events, defending the universityand Harold proudly watched hishave allowed my sister and me to against LSU fans during his yearsson receive the Buck Weirus Spiritprovide the gift of higher education in the Bayou State, and, of course,Award during its inaugural yearto our children, Mike shared. always proudly wearing his Aggiein 1982.ring. He had a strong, quiet prideBeyond his grandchildren, Harold in the university that he showedIn 2003, the father-son duo broughtknew his gift would also impact by maintaining deep connections,a touch of Aggieland to Natchi- his Aggie family. Dad always saw Mike said. toches, Louisiana, by starting anTexasA&Masagreatlearning annual Muster in the communityenvironment for shaping tomor-Now, a planned gift Harold createdthat continues today. It has beenrows leaders, and he wanted the serves as an enduring testament totruly meaningful to answer Hereuniversity to be part of his legacy, his pride as it provides for his fam- formydadandotherAggiesIMikesaid.Wehopehisfuture ily today and advances his legacy inknow, Mike said. scholarshiprecipientscarryon Aggieland tomorrow. hisenduringexampleoffaith, community involvement, passion A Good Ag An Example forand pride.Anative of the Caldwell, Texas,Tomorrowarea, Harold attended Texas A&MToday, Harolds quiet pride con- Want to learn more about before joining the Army Air Corpstinuesthroughatestamentary duringWorldWarII,wherehecharitable remainder unitrust heplanned gifts that bene t your served as a fl ight instructor whilecreated in his will. When he passedfamily and Aggieland? Contact stationedinFlorida.Aftertheaway in 2008, a trust was createdAngela Throne 03:war, he returned to the universityand began paying annual distribu-to complete his mechanical engi- tions to his children. After 20 years neering degree. Upon graduating,of payments, the remainder will979.845.8161he began a career as a valve designfund an endowed scholarship for engineer,obtainingseveralpat- Texas A&M engineering students ents for designs still used in powerand create a general fund to furtherplannedgiving@txamfoundation.complants today. He was very passion- support the university, in addition ate about his work while alwaysto providing a gift to two churches being down-to-earth, John said. thatHaroldwasinvolvedwith during his life.Harolds love of Aggieland and the lifelong friendships he found thereGiving back was important to our inspired his son Mike to follow indad, so this was a natural thing for SPIRIT OF SHARING|FALL 2021|5'