The Shineman Legacy: The Founder Speaks

"The Shineman Legacy" shares the origins story of a foundation that has had an immeasurable impact on New York's Oswego County. Richard S. "Dick" Shineman worked his entire career as a chemistry professor. Though he lived humbly, shunned opulence, and avoided the spotlight, he was always a giving soul –- even before, in his mid-40s, he inherited a fortune upon the death of his father, chairman of baby food and chewing gum titan Beech-Nut Packing Co. It was not until after his death in 2010 that most people learned Dr. Shineman was wealthy and had left almost two-thirds of his estate -- $25 million –- to establish a foundation for the benefit of Oswego County and Central New York. Dr. Barbara Palmer Shineman, in her 80s and then widowed for a second time, took on the challenge of founding what became known as the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.

Approaching 92 in early 2020, Barbara wanted to preserve her memories of Dick and lay out the maturing foundation's mission, accomplishments, and vision for a county that can still benefit extensively from funded projects in health and human services, economic development, education, science, music and the arts, and more. Spanning the tumultuous year of 2020, "The Shineman Legacy" also traces the histories of this unique couple and their vastly different backgrounds – with all the twists and turns of their productive, big-hearted, and eventful lives.