Ed Sachtleben
Edward "Ed" Sachtleben, a native of New Jersey who lives in California, remembers coming to Washington to visit the Smithsonian when he was in grade school. But it was not until Ed retired that he really discovered the Smithsonian, and he has been involved ever since.
"Some time ago, I attended a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Air and Space Museum's restoration and storage facility and was amazed by how much of the collection was not on exhibit," he says. "When I was invited to a presentation about the plans for a larger facility for the collection to be built near the Dulles International Airport, I knew I wanted to provide support by incorporating the museum in my estate plans."
Accordingly, Ed has generously designated the Smithsonian as a partial beneficiary of his IRA, with the intent to establish an endowment to support the National Air and Space Museum's aircraft restoration efforts. Even though he is a resident of Manhattan Beach, California, Ed is an active participant in the Smithsonian Legacy Society, always attending its Annual Smithsonian Weekend in Washington, DC.
"It was fantastic to attend the unveiling of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and see the planes I had watched being restored years before seemingly soar in their new home—a home that does this country and its aviation history proud," Ed says.
Support the History You're Passionate About
A beneficiary gift is a simple way to ensure that the Smithsonian is able to provide enriching experiences for visitors for generations to come. We invite you to contact the Office of Gift Planning to uncover the gift that fits your goals. Simply call 888-419-7584 or email legacy@si.edu to take the next step.