Ron Simmons' Legacy

Those of you who caved or knew Ron may want to read this.

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