Rev. Dr. Tardiff Reflects on Giving Back

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President’s Club members Rev. Dr. Richard (Dick) Tardiff and his wife Pamela Van Wechel have been supporting their alma mater, UH Mānoa, since 2010.

We asked Dick to share his reflections on giving back.

“In my father’s absence, my uncle served as my primary male role model. He gave me a good deal of advice. None was more important than the habit of giving thanks.  Although not an outwardly religious man, he also taught me that it is important to help others, even strangers—perhaps, especially strangers. I took those lessons to heart.

None of us can achieve very much on our own. Even the most independent, capable individual depends on the opportunities created by others. My life and career are testimony to the doors opened for me by those who came before. At every stage of my life, I have been blessed by the presence of wise mentors, and generous benefactors.  Likewise, I have been given more second chances than I can count. 

Over the years, I have been the recipient of grants and scholarships, large and small, enabling me to complete academic programs that would otherwise have been well out of reach. Because others have put their faith in my future, I was able to have a future. 

Thanks to a frugal nature and a few lucky investments, my wife and I are now in a position to make modest gifts to a few organizations that have served us so well. We’re thankful for the excellent programs at UH Mānoa, and are happy to give what we can.”

—Rev. Dr. Richard Tardiff

Rev. Dr. Richard Tardiff serves as the rector at Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua on Hawai‘i Island.