Teach a Man to Fish

I attended a memorial service yesterday for a very good man. His name was Robert Schiff. Mr. Schiff was not only a very successful businessman; he was person who gave back to the community in ways big and small. At the service, his family painted a wonderful tableaux of a dedicated and loving family man, a person who loved and celebrated life and someone who truly loved his “Cincinnata.”

I only met Mr. Schiff a few times; nevertheless his contributions to CET impact me and you everyday. Long before small non-profit organizations like CET thought about investments and endowments as important parts of their future plan, Mr. Schiff did.

I found a letter from Mr. Schiff in our files dated January 10, 1977. In the letter was a certificate for 10 Shares of Cincinnati Financial stock, Mr. Schiff’s new company. The letter “suggested” that this stock might be used to set up an endowment fund to help with future needs of the organization. Here was a man who was sharing not only his money but his good advice. Over the years Mr. Schiff continued to share both with CET and many other local non profit organizations.

Bob Schiff will be missed by his family and community but his contributions to this community live on.