Celebrating His 75th Reunion, David Read '38 Establishes a Family Endowment

David Read '38 grew up the eldest of nine kids in a family of eight boys and one girl. Given his family history, it's unsurprising that he makes supporting Catholic education a philanthropic priority today. His mother's commitment to Catholic education began in her own youth- she grew up on a farm on the Duwamish River and commuted daily to Capitol Hill where she attended Holy Names. Unable to pay full tuition, Helen would bring milk from her family's dairy farm to help offset the cost of her education. David's father Edwin, while not born Catholic, became committed to sending hid kids to Catholic school following his marriage to Helen in 1919.

Like many during the '40s and '50s, the Reads moved to Capitol Hill because it was simply one of the few Seattle neighborhoods with homes big enough to accommodate large Catholic families. Their home was on 18th and Thomas, where the parking garage for Group Health stands today. David and his seven brothers went to Seattle Prep while the youngest, Carol, attended Holy Names.

David is energized when he talks about his desire to help other Prep students afford a Jesuit education. He recalls helping to pay for his own schooling at Prep by picking up garbage around campus and later assisting a science teacher after school. David thrived at Seattle Prep and ultimately graduated as the class valedictorian. He remembers fondly the closer bonds shared by his classmates as well as the dedicated Jesuit instructors and lay teachers.

David graduated from Seattle College and served in the Navy during World War II before earning his Ph. D. in Chemistry from Notre Dame. He returned to Seattle to teach chemistry at Seattle University and is still thanked today by former nursing students for being such an accessible and helpful professor.

When David and I spoke this past summer about starting an endowment, he started by saying, "My wife, Margaret and I always had a soft spot in our hearts for teachers and education. We have a lot of educators in our family. It has always made us feel good to support something like education that is so important." After reaching out to extended family for their support, the Read Family Endowment is at the $50,000 fully endowed level today. Quiet and heartfelt, when David was asked why Seattle Prep in particular was a giving priority for him he said "I want my gift to continue to help students who couldn't go to Prep otherwise. I want others to receive the same opportunity I was given. The Jesuits were very good to my family. My eight brothers and many of my great nephews, nieces, nephews and grandchildren have all attended Prep. To me, Prep is family."

The goal is to continue to have this family endowment grow well beyond the $50,000 it has today. David and his family understand that by growing this endowment they will benefit future students. In 2013, David celebrates his 75th reunion while his youngest brother celebrates his 60th reunion. We thank David and his family for their loyal commitment to Jesuit education. The Read family legacy will live on in perpetuity.