The original Faith and Practice Fund was established in 2013 by members of the class of 1963 in honor of Thomas Shipley Brown, who had a profound influence on Quaker thought and practice at Westtown for more than 80 years. In subsequent years, additional Faith and Practice funds were established in honor of former faculty members Charles K. Brown III and Mervin T. Hutton. By September 2024, more than $500,000 had been contributed to these funds. Investment income from the funds supports programs and initiatives that enhance Quaker principles in the curriculum and community life at Westtown. 

Jim Cooper ’73, Clerk of the Faith and Practice Fund Committee and parent of two Westtown graduates, reflects, “When three generations of my family compared our Westtown experiences, we found that while much had changed over the decades, Westtown’s core Quaker values remained a constant. I support the Faith and Practice Fund because it preserves and strengthens those values that inspire and guide the lives of alums.”

The Faith and Practice Fund received a substantial boost in 2024, thanks to a bequest from Richard R. Thompson ’59. Dick owned an export management company that represented the export sales of North American manufacturers into markets all over the world. He was a member of the Philadelphia Aero Club and was especially interested in ultralight flight.

When Dick passed away in 2018, his sister, Ellen Thompson Taylor ’53, found a handwritten will naming Dick’s senior Westtown roommate, Ben James ’59, the executor of his estate. Ben agreed to fulfill the responsibility, not realizing that it would take six years to complete the task.

Thanks to Dick’s generosity and Ben’s perseverance, Westtown School received almost $380,000 from Dick’s estate. But there was a problem: Dick had not designated his bequest for any particular purpose at Westtown. Knowing Dick’s strong Quaker convictions, Ben, in consultation with school leadership, decided the bequest should be used to create the Richard R. Thompson ’59 Fund for Faith and Practice. 

“This generous gift ensures that the school’s distinctive Quaker life will continue to flourish for generations to come,” says Chris Wills, Assistant Head of School for Program and Community. “It provides essential resources for faculty and staff who serve as catalysts in weaving the Quaker testimonies into every aspect of our students’ educational experience. We are so grateful for Dick’s faith in Westtown and commitment to our mission. His bequest empowers us to adapt and innovate while staying true to our spiritual foundation, support new initiatives that enrich our diverse community, and seek out and honor that of God in each person.”

Dick’s planned gift directly impacts the education of today’s Westonians, helping to prepare students to participate thoughtfully in the life of our community, country, and world. Thanks to Dick and other donors, these foundational Quaker values endure at Westtown and instill ethics and values in our future leaders.