D. Russell Putnam never attended Interlochen, but his lifelong passion for music and education resulted in an ongoing legacy at the institution he valued.
A 35-year employee of Grand Trunk Western Railroad, he led a "simple life," says his niece, Sheila Baker of Flint, Michigan, where Putnam lived the last 45 years of his life.
That simple life enabled Putnam, originally from Cadillac, Michigan, to become a philanthropist. For the final three years of his life, his giving was in the top 10 percent of donors to the Interlochen Fund, which is the major source of student scholarship assistance. Interlochen awards approximately $8 million per year in scholarship support to students attending Interlochen Arts Camp and Interlochen Arts Academy.
Before Putnam passed away in 2002, he put in place plans for Interlochen students to continue to benefit from his generosity. The result: A $75,000 gift, paid over several years. "This is someone of limited resources who made a substantial, direct impact on students," says the Advancement officer who worked with Putnam on details of the bequest. "He was just tickled about being a philanthropist."
Sheila Baker recalls Putnam telling of a thank-you letter he received from a student, and how appreciated her uncle felt. An accomplished pianist, Putnam would play regularly for his niece, and maintained a piano-tuning service. "No matter what he did, he did a wonderful job," she recalls. "He was knowledgeable and warm-hearted."
Putnam's only request for his generosity? His name on a practice room.
