Leaving a Legacy of Caring: Bob Ferriday’s Commitment to Community
October 20, 2025
Thoughtful planning today can shape a brighter future. Bob Ferriday III explains his decision to include United Way in his estate plans, and how each of us can leave a lasting legacy for our community.
Ask Bob Ferriday III why giving back matters, and you’ll get a simple, heartfelt answer: “If you’re a member of the community, you should care about supporting it.”
That belief has guided Bob through his career, his retirement, and the legacy he is building for future generations. Years ago, he was looking for a shift from his corporate position and answered a job ad in the paper for a Midwest company seeking his skillset. The position, as it turns out, was four miles down the road at United Way of Greater Milwaukee (now United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County). After his retirement in 2003, he not only helped in continuing to improve the organization’s Planned Giving program but also made plans for his own.
“I had a wonderful career,” Bob said. “I counted my blessings, and I wondered, ‘How can I continue to give back? What impact can I have when I’m no longer here?’”
With his daughters, Bob planned for the future – the future support for his family, the future support for the community, and the legacy he’s chosen to leave to United Way. Through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Bob has ensured that United Way remains a permanent recipient of leadership-level giving. He sees this decision through a broad, community-wide lens.
“We’re in the business of helping people,” he said. “We need to continue that and expand our impact with collaborative partners to continue to improve lives. United Way is unified with other organizations. They’re trustworthy. They’re very thoughtful with their funding.”
Bob’s commitment to the community comes from the desire to see everyone succeed and has served on a number of boards supporting local nonprofits. From healthy childhood and youth education to helping families have fulfilling, productive lives in stable homes and careers, Bob finds joy in contributing to a greater good. And that passion for philanthropy is something he’s teaching his grandchildren, creating a holiday family tradition in challenging them to thoughtfully research local organizations that they want to support.
“It teaches them to care about something bigger than themselves, and to think about the future,” he said.
It’s not just giving back now that someone should plan for. While planned giving can seem daunting, thinking about the future doesn’t belong just to the next generation; it belongs to all of us. And it doesn’t need to be an arduous task. Bob encourages everyone to consider a charitable IRA in addition to a traditional IRA to continue giving to the things that matter most to them.
“A lot of people put this off – they don’t want to think about these kinds of things. But do you want to decide what to do with your money when you’re gone, or have someone else decide?”
Naming organizations such as United Way as beneficiaries not only creates the foundation for a brighter future for our families but also builds communities where future generations can thrive. Bob’s story reminds us that each of us has the power to leave behind something lasting and meaningful. By following his example, we can create a stronger tomorrow together. Because United is the way we care. United is the way we give. And United is the Way we build a better future.
If you’re interested in including a bequest for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and want to learn more,
visit our Legacy Society page or connect with Alejandra Anastas.
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