Steve and Angie Perryman Use Charitable Remainder Unitrust to Strengthen the Academy’s Future

After years of virtually no contact with his alma mater, Steve Perryman ’64 reconnected at his 20th reunion—cementing a lasting relationship that inspired him to create a charitable remainder unitrust to support the mission of the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG).

“It was a powerful experience, reconnecting with people I have always enjoyed and respected,” Steve recalls of that first-of-many reunion celebrations. “When you go back for a reunion … you meet up with guys you haven’t seen in 20, 25, 30 years, and it’s as if 20, 25, 30 years hadn’t happened. You take up right away where you left off. It’s amazing.”

After five years of military service with the Army Corps of Engineers in Germany, Vietnam, and California, Steve attended law school at U.C. Berkeley and then practiced law before entering the manufacturing business. During this time, his respect for West Point’s mission and for his classmates who chose military careers has only increased.

“Over the years I grew to appreciate how fortunate we are to have a military that takes its orders from our elected officials,” Steve says. “As powerful as our military is, it has never varied from that course. I find that remarkable and very important to support. A charitable remainder unitrust is our way of trying to contribute to this high standard by enhancing and broadening the experience of cadets outside the classroom as they prepare to enter the service.”

A native and longtime resident of Santa Ana, California, Steve chose West Point after a talk with his high school counselor. Now retired, he and his wife Angie live in Tucson, Arizona, where Steve volunteers as an algebra tutor for junior high school students. Since he has been unable to shake his interest in cars, he maintains a racing go-kart and competes in a local series.

Owning highly appreciated stock, Steve and Angie found the charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT) to be a perfect planned gift. A CRUT unlocks tax benefits and will provide income for him and Angie for the remainder of their lives. Their gift will ultimately benefit the Long Gray Line Endowment and the Men’s Rugby Club, of which Steve was a founding member. 

Steve encourages other alumni who value West Point’s mission to include WPAOG in their estate plans.

“If they find value in what West Point provides the country, planned giving is a particularly good way to help the Academy continue to produce the fine young men and women we see pass through its gates each year,” he says.