Third-generation Daytonian Robert Appenzeller had a deep love for his community. Bob, and his wife, Phyllis, came from humble beginnings and dedicated their 68-year marriage to building a successful life centered on family and helping others.
The Appenzellers’ love for Greater Dayton became most evident after their passings in 2022, when Bob and Phyllis gifted a total of $13.9 million through their estates to the R.C. Appenzeller Family Foundation of The Dayton Foundation, making it the second-largest legacy gift in the Foundation’s history. The fund now is advised by the Appenzellers’ children, Robert “Chip” Appenzeller, Jr., and Rebecca “Becky” Cain.
“My parents’ goal was first to provide for their immediate family and second to provide for the community as critical needs emerge,” Chip said. “The Dayton Foundation is a perfect conduit to execute this plan because of its breadth of experiences with regional organizations and its networking abilities with community leaders.”
“What an absolutely wonderful legacy Bob and Phyllis have left for our community,” added Mike Parks, CFRE, president of The Dayton Foundation. “This generous gift will keep working to make a positive impact on Greater Dayton for years to come, just as the Appenzeller family has done for generations.”
Like many Americans born in the 1920s, Bob and Phyllis withstood many hardships, which Chip attributes to his family’s stoic Germanic roots. Growing up, Bob’s and Phyllis’s families had little money, though Bob’s father managed to stay employed during the Great Depression. This example of hard work and dedication helped lay the foundation for Bob’s stellar work ethic, which included serving in the United States Navy during World War II, then earning a mechanical engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. He returned to Dayton in 1948 and began his career at Delco Products. In 1956, Bob founded Machine Products Corporation, which provides specialized equipment and technology worldwide to the electric motor industry.
“Dad never lost sight of his goal to be successful through good times and bad. Never flaunt your success, be humble, was his way,” Chip said. “Mom, a devoted stay-at-home mom, was his muse and soulmate. She never doubted Dad’s career choice and remained firmly supportive of him to the very end of her life.”
The Appenzellers first established a charitable fund through The Dayton Foundation in 1997 to assist students majoring in engineering at an accredited college, university or trade school in furthering their education. They later established a Family Foundation PlusSM to award grants to causes important to them, such as youth and education.
Thanks to the Appenzellers’ funds, more than 400 students have received over $600,000 in scholarship assistance to date. Recently, their annual scholarship was made renewable and now offers 10 eligible students $3,000 per year for four years to help with rising educational costs.
Makayla Bedford, a 2024 R.C. Appenzeller Scholarship Fund recipient
Makayla Bedford, who was inspired to become a civil/structural engineer following the destruction caused by the 2019 tornado in her neighborhood, is attending the University of Cincinnati with the help of the R. C. Appenzeller Scholarship Fund.
“My three little sisters are my biggest motivations to go to college. I want to show them they should pursue their dreams no matter how big or small,” Makayla said. “Financially, college seemed like an unachievable dream. Receiving this scholarship means everything to me, and I will be forever grateful to the Appenzeller family for making my dreams a reality. I plan to become the first in my family to earn a degree and hope that I can aid students in the future, just like the Appenzellers have done for me.”
Makayla’s words echo the sentiments of Bob Appenzeller, who, in a 2008 Dayton Foundation article, said, “If I hadn’t received a scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to get my degree. I’m thrilled I’m able to give these students the same opportunity to fulfill their dreams that I had.”
The R.C. Appenzeller Family Foundation also has awarded significant grants to many worthwhile community efforts. Recent grants include $450,000 over three years to Crayons to Classrooms to provide free school supplies for teachers of low-income students, as well as $200,000 to Montgomery County Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Association to construct a permanent memorial for local fallen deputies and officers. The memorial project, which will be located next to the Dayton Masonic Center, is particularly meaningful to Becky and Chip, as both their grandfather and father were masons and had a high regard for the sheriff’s office.
Becky and Chip look forward to working with The Dayton Foundation to increase grantmaking from their family’s funds in the future, thanks to the substantial gift their parents left behind.
“Dad felt giving to The Dayton Foundation was the best way to give back to the region that was so beneficial to multiple generations of Appenzellers, going back to family members who worked as basket weavers in the late 19th century,” Chip said. “We are extremely proud of our family’s legacy of giving back to the community that nurtured our success. Thanks to our parents’ gift, the Appenzeller legacy will be projected far into Dayton’s future.”