The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award

Bonnie Geer spent much of her life helping young minds thrive. Now, Bonnie and her husband, Dennis, will improve lives for decades to come through a bequest in their estate plans. Photo courtesy of Dennis and Bonnie Geer. Bonnie Geer still remembers the first time she met Sarah, a high school sophomore who had been in and out of the hospital battling various medical issues. ?As a principal, I was aware that many of our kids were dealing with hardships outside the classroom,? says Bonnie, who now calls Lakewood Ranch, Florida, home. ?But meeting Sarah was my first interaction with a sick child. Sarah and I just clicked, and during her high school years, we spent a lot of time together.? After Bonnie retired and her husband, Dennis Geer (66BBA), began considering retirement from a career as a high-level executive in several federal agencies, GMAC, and Allied Financial, the couple started to think about estate planning and how to make a lasting impact. ?I immediately thought about how I could help children like Sarah in some way,? says Bonnie. The Geers arranged for a visit to what is now known as University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children?s Hospital. After touring the facilities and learning more about the important work being done in pediatric research?particularly in the area of developmental origins of disease?Bonnie knew she had made the right connection. ?As we walked through the hospital, I realized that I was in a wonderful place that exists to help kids overcome barriers,? says Bonnie. ?All of the staff are passionate about working hard to fight for children who otherwise can?t help themselves.? That?s why the Geers established the Bonnie J. and Dennis F. Geer Research Fund for Pediatric Medicine. Recently, they increased their bequest in their estate plans to make an even more meaningful impact in the future for a variety of research efforts, including hard-to-fund startup initiatives for promising young investigators and bridge funding for more established projects. ?I understand that researchers need funding to make important discoveries,? says Bonnie. ?I thought, ?if I can be of help in some small way, how wonderful would that be??? Through their estate plans, Bonnie and Dennis also plan to support student scholarships and the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business?two areas that are near and dear to Dennis, who grew up on a family farm near Clarinda, Iowa. ?I was one of the first in my family to go to college,? says Dennis. ?I want to provide other kids from southwest Iowa with the same opportunity and provide them with a scholarship at Iowa. Iowa is a great school, and if they choose a business degree, that?s even better.? For the Geers, it?s all about helping the next generation succeed. ?We want to help young people achieve their full potential, and our support for Iowa will help do just that,? says Bonnie.