b'10D Armond Foundation eSupports Working StudentsBob DeArmond was a philanthropist at hearthis passion was toThe DeArmonds made their \x1frst home in Rogue River, where Bob, give back to his community and champion initiatives that upliftedhisbrother,andfatherformedDeArmondBrothersLumberCo. others. Along with Leona, his wife of 65 years, the DeArmonds wereIn 1959, that mill was sold and the couple moved to Coeur dAlene, a driving force for good in the Rogue Valley. Their belief in the powerwhere they acquired another lumber company. A merger of several ofeducationwasprofound,andtheydedicatedthemselvestosmallercompaniescreatedIdahoForestIndustriesin1969, creating opportunities for young people to succeed. where Bob served as chairman of the board until his retirement in 1995.BobandLeonamovedtoMedfordin1987whereBob The DeArmond legacy extends from Jackson County through themanaged Double Dee Lumber Company. Leona died in 2017, and Willamette Valley and to Tillamook, where their generosity bene\x1ftedBob died in 2021. countless Oregonians. Today, the DeArmond Foundation continues whatBobandLeonastarted,fundingscholarshipsforstudentsBobsprofessionallifewasundeniablyshapedbythelumber enrolled in SOUs Innovation and Leadership (INL) Program.industry, and the motivations behind the DeArmonds philanthropic endeavorsweremultifaceted.Leonasin\x1euencewasundeniable, SOUF ANNUAL REPORT 2024TheINLdegreeisamultidisciplinarybachelorsprogramforaccording to Mike DeArmond, a cousin and trustee of the Founda-working professionals that can be completed in-person or online. Itstion. Leona was a major philanthropist. I think that in\x1euenced Bobs appliedapproachencouragespracticallearninganddivesdeepdecision to give back, he said. intoworkplacechallenges,withcoursesspanningbusiness, communication, emerging media, and psychology.Bob served on the boards of schools in Coeur dAlene, Rogue River, and Medford, and this deepened his conviction about the importance Bobbelievedinthepowerofeducationtotransformlives.ofeducation.ThisphilosophyisatthecoreoftheDeArmond HewasparticularlypassionateaboutsupportingyoungpeopleFoundations mission. According to Mike, the DeArmonds personal throughscholarshipsandcreatingnewopportunitiesforfuturevaluesemphasizededucatingchildrensotheycouldbecome generations to thrive. The innovative approach of the INL programbetter citizens; they were people of determination and compassion. alignedperfectlywithhisdesiretohelpthoseinneed,creatingBobwasalwaysworkingandalwaysthinkingaboutthenext apathwayforstudentstobuildproductiveandful\x1fllinglives,project, but he also had a soft spot for people in need. He believed said Peggy Jahnke, a longtime colleague and friend. everyone deserved a chance to succeed.'