The Shineman Legacy: The Founder Speaks

"The Shineman Legacy" shares the origins story of a foundation that has had an immeasurable impact on New York's Oswego County. Richard S. "Dick" Shineman worked his entire career as a chemistry professor. Though he lived humbly, shunned opulence, and avoided the spotlight, he was always a giving soul –- even before, in his mid-40s, he inherited a fortune upon the death of his father, chairman of baby food and chewing gum titan Beech-Nut Packing Co. It was not until after his death in 2010 that most people learned Dr. Shineman was wealthy and had left almost two-thirds of his estate -- $25 million –- to establish a foundation for the benefit of Oswego County and Central New York. Dr. Barbara Palmer Shineman, in her 80s and then widowed for a second time, took on the challenge of founding what became known as the Richard S. Shineman Foundation. Approaching 92 in early 2020, Barbara wanted to preserve her memories of Dick and lay out the maturing foundation's mission, accomplishments, and vision for a county that can still benefit extensively from funded projects in health and human services, economic development, education, science, music and the arts, and more. Spanning the tumultuous year of 2020, "The Shineman Legacy" also traces the histories of this unique couple and their vastly different backgrounds – with all the twists and turns of their productive, big-hearted, and eventful lives.

Dick and Barb. Two middle-aged teachers at an Upstate New York college, one a bachelor, the other a widow. Two lives lived generously, despite vastly different backgrounds. A meeting in a church parking lot. A romance. A marriage. From this intersection, their lives grew together, forming a combination that, ultimately, worked much as two elements in a chemical formula to create a potent Catalyst For Change in Oswego County. This is the story of Barbara Ann Irvine, who grew up as a child of the Great Depression, and Richard Shubert Shineman, whose own privileged upbringing was further enriched by the community- mindedness and generosity shown by his parents. While Dick Shineman inherited and further grew a fortune beyond most people's imaginations, the self-effacing chemistry professor had no earthly interest in the trappings of wealth. He worked with his wife, now known as Barbara Palmer Shineman, to make substantial gifts during his lifetime. Dick's last will and testament set aside $25 million for a foundation to benefit Oswego County and Central New York. His widow, then in her 80s, followed through. So was born the Richard S. Shineman Foundation. Barbara, now nearing 93 and always resolute, wanted a book to keep alive Dick's story and capture the evolution and growing significance of the foundation and its benefit to the county and region in economic development and environment, parks and the arts, human services and historic preservation, and so much more.

Jeff Rea has more than 40 years' experience in communications. He worked as a reporter, editor and manager at the former Herald-Journal and The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com for 32 years. During his brief first retirement, he taught journalism courses at SUNY Oswego –- his alma mater –- then joined the college's Office of Communications and Marketing for nearly 10 years He retired in 2019 and soon began to pursue freelance writing. This is Jeff's first book. He and his wife, Karen Goetz Rea, reside in Syracuse, NY, and have five sons, four daughters-in-law and six grandchildren.