2025 Summer Series Public Events are on sale now!
Get Tickets

© Laurie Hatch

Already have Lick Observatory in your will? Become a Founding Member NOW.

☆ Become a Founding Member by June 15, 2026 ☆

Thank you to the following families who will forever be a part of Lick Observatory’s legacy through their generosity. Do you know someone who included Lick Observatory in their will and should be recognized here–please let us know?!  *Indicates gifts that have been realized.

Henry Bachmann*

John & Barbara Crary

George Davidson* 

Sandra & Andrew Faber

John C. Graff*

Hal Hyde*

Martin Kellogg*

Robert & Rosalie Kraft*

Laurie Hatch &

Remington Stone

James Lick*

Gary Licker*

Thomas & Roberta Lumb* 

Claire Max

Timothy Phelps*

A. F. Morrison*

Adele & Ted Right*

Barton Robinson

Stephen Rosenthal

Matthew Shetrone &

Susan Penney

Robert Sieker*

Valerie E. Taylor*

Elsie Triebig*

W. J. Shiloh Unruh*

Gary Vosters

Susan Zimmerman

© 2015 Laurie Hatch

FAQs: Learn more about the Friends Forever Legacy Society

I want to be in the Lick Observatory Friends Forever Legacy Society. What is it?

The Lick Observatory Friends Forever Legacy Society is a newly established recognition society for the generous supporters who have or who intend to include a donation to Lick Observatory in their will. Other “planned gifts” including charitable gift annuities, life insurance, real estate, etc. also count. Not sure if your gift makes you a Founding Member? Contact us here.

Why do I keep seeing the date June 15, 2026?

Nearly 150 years ago, on June 15, 1876, James Lick signed his own trust documents that would make Mt. Hamilton the future site of Lick Observatory. All donors who share their intention to include Lick Observatory in their will before June 15, 2026 (the 150th anniversary of that historic moment) will become Founding Members of the Lick Observatory Friends Forever Legacy Society.

Why should I put Lick Observatory in MY will--what impact will it make?

So much of what you see today at Lick Observatory, both inside and outside of the domes, is funded by donors like you who chose to put Lick Observatory in their will. Past gifts have supported mission-critical priorities including:

  • Cutting-edge scientific tools that drive discovery
  • Empowering our community through public education and outreach
  • Shaping the next generation of innovators and leaders
  • Bringing world-class experts to share knowledge and inspire
  • Preserving our history for future generations
  • Transformative projects that spark new possibilities
  • Preserving invaluable data for future breakthroughs
  • And countless other ways they have chosen to make a lasting difference!

YOUR LEGACY should speak to your philanthropic priorities, so we look forward to collaborating with you to ensure your gift reflects your intentions and makes the meaningful impact you want it to make for generations to come.

Please contact me so I can learn more!

 

Lick Observatory is a part of who I am and I want to be a lasting part of its future…

While my story may be unique, I know that I am not alone in cherishing the memories of this extraordinary place. I hope to hear yours in the future. In the meantime, I warmly invite you to join me in including Lick Observatory in your will at the level that makes sense for your family. It is the best way to ensure that future generations will have their own stories to tell. We have always been friends of Lick Observatory and now we commit to being Friends Forever.

–Gary Vosters, Lick Observatory Volunteer

 

Click to read Gary’s story.

Click to read Susan’s story. (Coming Soon!)

Click to read James’ story.

Share your story to be featured in Lick Observatory communications!