Alice and Bob Vernon

With their recent philanthropic gifts to Pine Run Retirement Community, Alice and Bob Vernon continue their decades-long support for organizations that create a more vibrant Bucks County.

By the time Alice and Bob Vernon met in Boston in the 1960s, Bob had firmly established his dedication to the sport of rowing, the oldest intercollegiate sport in the United States. During his last two undergraduate years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Bob served as varsity coxswain of the Lightweight Crew and Crew Captain. The coxswain is responsible for steering while making any tactical changes necessary to reach the finish line “which translates to so many things in life,” Bob says.

Thus began a lifelong affiliation and appreciation for the team sport, which Bob credits for developing his “qualities of leadership, commitment, and perseverance.”

After earning a master’s degree from MIT, Bob’s work brought him and Alice to Doylestown where they became involved in the community and began raising two young daughters. “With Bob’s company, Sperry Univac,” Alice says, “we had the opportunity to move our family to England. What we thought would be a two-year stint turned into five,” she recalls. “We lived in Surrey, and then moved north to Buckinghamshire, for which our beautiful Bucks County is named.”

With their assignment complete, Alice and Bob returned to their neighborhood, friends, and volunteer and civic activities with a deeper appreciation for the outstanding community organizations in Doylestown. Alice attended Villanova University and received a master’s degree in counseling. Eventually she worked for the Bucks County Office of Aging serving the elderly and conducting in-home visits. “That’s where I learned more about the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic affiliated with Doylestown Health,” says Alice. “It was a lifesaver for many of my clients who were low-income and uninsured.”

Decades later as the time to choose a place for active retirement living approached, “we didn’t interview anywhere else besides Pine Run Retirement Community,” says Bob. In addition to Pine Run’s reputation for excellence, “we wanted to have access to the top-quality healthcare while enjoying all that this area offers,” Alice says.

The Vernons moved into Pine Run in May of 2020 just after the onset of the global pandemic. “It was—and still is—the perfect time for Pine Run to be part of Doylestown Health,” Bob says. “I’m impressed by the leadership, and Pine Run and Doylestown Health have demonstrated a commitment to excellence during challenging times.”

As Bob and Alice embraced life at Pine Run, they also discovered opportunities to strengthen the community they now call home with philanthropic investments that support Pine Run’s current priorities and future sustainability. “We want to give back to Pine Run,” says Bob. “Our parents instilled in us that philanthropy is very important, and we proudly support the institutions that make Bucks County what it is, especially those that focus on healthcare and serving the needy.”

Maria Santangelo, Executive Director for Pine Run Retirement Community, is “proud of the progress we have made through philanthropic investments from residents like Bob and Alice,” she says. “Gifts designated for current needs, future use, or both, have an impact and give Villagers an opportunity to leave a legacy.” The next phase of enhancements at Pine Run includes a “total renovation and expansion of our beloved Craft Barn,” says Santangelo. “The new design will create inspirational and functional spaces for our artists, crafters, and hobbyists. Philanthropic gifts provided funding for the initial design phase, and we are excited to invite our community to help us reach our goal for its completion.”

“We are deeply grateful to Bob and Alice for their focus on our future,” says Laura Wortman, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer, Doylestown Health. “In this phase of ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health, the Vernons’ planned gift will support the growth of our endowment funds and ensure that Pine Run and Doylestown Health remain a vital part of this community.”

Bob and Alice’s enjoyment of Pine Run extends to a wide range of fitness and learning activities. “The activities aren’t just things that take up time,” says Alice. “They are well-designed to educate and engage us.” With that in mind, they chose to name the Community Center Fitness Room as an enduring reminder of the importance of a healthy community.