From left: Marilyn Wallach; George E. Hellman, Director of Planned Giving for the Museum; and Kurt Wallach at the Museum’s Salute to Liberators Luncheon in Boca Raton, Florida, earlier this year.
Kurt Wallach proudly remembers his father, Mark, whose bravery, foresight, and ingenuity saved the lives of his immediate family and countless relatives and friends during the Holocaust. Kurt was born in Magdeburg, Germany, in 1926. In 1933, his father learned that he was an assassination target because of his extensive activity in the anti-Nazi movement. Within 24 hours, Mark Wallach gathered his family and left for The Hague, The Netherlands. In 1936, once again sensing impending danger, Mark secured passage for his family on the Queen Mary's maiden voyage to New York, eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio. Kurt described his father's heroic story in a book titled Remembering Mark.
Kurt served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 in Panama and the Pacific, and he trained as a Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land Special Forces) in Ft. Pierce, Florida. He received his degree in 1949 from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and in 1956, he and his family moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where he lives today with his wife of 25 years, Marilyn.
The Wallachs' relationship with the Museum began in 1993 when they attended its dedication ceremony. Because they wanted to perpetuate their support beyond their lifetime, they decided to establish a charitable lead annuity trust-a permanent and meaningful gift that also benefits one's family. This trust minimizes the tax cost of making lifetime family transfers because the value of the gift is reduced by the value of income interest donated to charity. Kurt has informed the Museum that his trust will pay the Museum $500,000 a year for 10 years after Kurt and Marilyn's lives.
The Museum is deeply grateful for the Wallachs' vision in establishing this magnificent gift. We would be delighted to speak with you to tailor a planned gift that meets your financial and charitable goals as well.
