A Humble Philanthropist: Richard Kent’s Legacy
Richard “Dick” Kent spent his life in quiet appreciation of the world’s beauty, capturing its wonders through his camera lens and embracing adventures across 72 countries. In addition to his beautiful photos and journal entries, perhaps the most enduring impact of Dick’s life is the legacy he chose to leave behind — a more than $2 million gift to Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation to support the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome.
For those who knew him, Dick was a paradox: a man of meticulous thrift who once taped his broken couch together rather than replace it, yet one whose generosity will now change the lives of countless children with Down syndrome.
A Seed that Grew into a Legacy
Inspired by a tour of the hospital with his niece, Tara Friedman, Dick’s gift to support Children’s Colorado was deeply personal. Standing before the Sie Center for Down Syndrome during the tour, his quiet demeanor gave way to deep emotion. “He broke down when we came to the Sie Center,” Tara remembered. “It was then he made up his mind to update his legacy.”
Dick’s connection to Down syndrome was seeded decades earlier when his cousin, Julie, was born with the genetic condition in an era when families were often discouraged from raising children with disabilities at home. Julie spent her short life in an institution before passing at age four. Her life left a lasting imprint on Dick.
“You don’t know when a seed is planted. Who would have known that 60 years ago Julie’s life would touch Uncle Dick in such a way that he would leave an incredibly meaningful gift?”
Tara
Finding Beauty in the Unexpected
Despite his success as a CPA and his legendary travels, Dick lived with striking simplicity and found joy in nature’s details.
In one of their last conversations, Dick’s sister Carol Sue recalled her favorite photo of his — an expansive bed of pink tulips near Warsaw, Poland. When Dick pulled up the digital image, he zoomed in to show her a single yellow tulip standing apart but not easily seen.
“I think that was Dick,” said Carol Sue. “He was different. He was the yellow tulip, and I think he also recognized other yellow tulips. That might be why he was drawn to Down syndrome.”
A Lasting Image of Generosity
Dick’s gift ensures that children with Down syndrome receive the care, resources and support they need to thrive. His generosity will fuel medical advancements, therapy programs and compassionate care for families raising a child with Down syndrome.
“To know him was to love him,” Carol Sue stated. And the love Dick Kent carried for the world will continue to shine, supporting lives for generations to come.