Some of the most consequential philanthropic investments in an institution’s history arrive without headlines or ribbon cuttings. By the quiet design of their donors, they come without ceremony.
A letter. A line in a will. And then quietly and permanently, the trajectory of scientific discovery shifts. The bequest of Dick and Marla Hess was that kind of gift.
In 2024, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) became the beneficiary of a $5 million estate gift from the late Marla and Dick Hess of Rancho Santa Fe, marking both the largest single commitment and the most significant estate gift in Institute history.
The Hesses’ bequest carries exceptional potential as well as the enduring imprint of two lives shaped by service, humility, and an unshakable belief in the power of giving.
The Hesses were introduced to LJI by friends in Board leadership. True to form, they made their philanthropic decisions with measured discretion. They were values-driven donors who asked thoughtful questions, gave strategically and actively through their donor-advised fund, and quietly transformed research, eschewing the attention that often follows generosity of such magnitude. This tribute reflects their wishes and honors the unassuming grace that defined their generosity.
Dick, who passed away in 2016, built a life defined by public service and community leadership. Marla, who passed in November 2023, brought equal devotion and discernment to the causes she championed. She faced cancer with quiet courage and continued to give—even through treatment. Their approach was thoughtful, deliberate, and grounded in a deep care for others. Together, Marla and Dick lived their values, and their giving reflected the best of them.
Their legacy gift places LJI among a select group of organizations they chose to support in perpetuity, with several based in the San Diego region. At LJI, the impact of their generosity will be felt for generations to come.
We are profoundly grateful to Marla and Dick Hess. Their gift honors the spirit in which they lived: generously, humbly, and with hearts turned toward the future.
