Originally published in the Foundation’s newsletter "Prime Scene," winter 2006

Wanting to Do More

Lt. Col. Bob Sweeney has led an amazing life — from 20 years of military service, to teaching high school social studies, to managing the firearms division of the original Eddie Bauer Outfitter firm in San Francisco. At 88, he continues to enjoy an active lifestyle, thanks in great part to the wonderful care of Dr. Allan Pont and the other doctors at California Pacific Medical Center.

“I was not exactly sheltered,” Lt. Col. Sweeney says, with a laugh, describing his many varied careers. During his military career with the Army and later the newly formed Air Force, he spent years in Korea and Italy, was in NATO and became the youngest division chief in the Pentagon. Following retirement, he attended San Francisco State University to get his general secondary teaching credential, and later a master’s degree in recent urban history. Following nine years of high school teaching, he retired to work for Eddie Bauer Outfitter.

In the late 1980s, Lt. Col. Sweeney learned he had acute osteoporosis. “I had the pelvic structure of a 90-year-old woman, and I was 60,” he explains. Under the recommendation of another doctor, he met Dr. Pont at Children’s Hospital of San Francisco, now California Pacific. “He’s a remarkable fellow.” Over a period of years, Dr. Pont prescribed medication that helped build up Lt. Col. Sweeney’s bone density, while recommending other doctors at the hospital to meet his needs.

“I have never run into better people across the board,” he says. And because of the wonderful care he has received, Lt. Col. Sweeney is able to continue the hobbies he enjoys — including appraising firearms, working at antique shows and traveling.

With a strong desire to assist those less fortunate, Lt. Col. Sweeney has given 25 years of volunteer service to the U.S. Veteran’s Hospital at Fort Miley. “I see these guys, and they need help. I feel for those guys.” Wanting to do more for his favorite charitable causes, he has created life-income gifts with the Disabled American Veterans, the National Rifle Association and California Pacific.

Lt. Col. Sweeney’s two charitable gift annuities with our Foundation offer him lifetime payments at fixed rates of 9.7 percent and 10.2 percent, and will eventually benefit medical education. “I have dealt with the market,” he explains, “and this is the simplest thing that has ever come along!” And with no administration fees, Lt. Col. Sweeney knows that he and California Pacific are receiving the maximum benefits. “It makes perfect sense to anyone in my position.”