The Ralph C. Putnam Fund was established upon the receipt of a bequest from Mr. Putnam’s estate.
The net income of the fund is distributed on an annual basis to St. David’s Episcopal Church of Aurora.
Ralph C. Putnam, Jr., a former director and administrator of the Community Foundation, died at his home in Aurora on September 9, 2009. He was 94 years of age.
Mr. Putnam (1915-2009) served from 1962-1990 on our board of directors and was administrator from 1962-1982.
He was born in a house on Downer Place on June 5, 1915. He attended Greenman Elementary School, was in the first graduating class of Freeman Elementary School and graduated from West Aurora High School. He concluded his education at Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School.
He began his career as an attorney in Chicago and later became a member of an Aurora law firm created by his father Ralph C. Putnam, Sr. and Benjamin P. Alschuler, Sr.
In 1946, he married Jean Rita Larson of Aurora. She died in 1997.
Mr. Putnam was active in various civic clubs and charitable organizations. He was the last surviving founding member of St. David’s Episcopal Church of Aurora.
Attorney Putnam set a high standard for the Community Foundation in his rigorous and faithful interpretation of the law. His influence and good judgment continue to impact our organization to this day.
