Henry Safford Peacock Estate Donates $1 Million to Lincoln Memorial Foundation
Together, Saf and Betty Peacock made the world a better place. Their philanthropy started early in their 67-year marriage and continued throughout their lives, inspiring others to give back and generously supporting organizations like Lincoln Memorial Hospital (LMH) through the hospital’s foundation.
Florence Elizabeth “Betty” Funk Peacock passed away in 2021, and Henry “Saf” Safford Peacock died in 2023, but their legacy continues to help people, especially those in the Lincoln area and beyond.
The story behind the Henry Safford Peacock estate’s recent million-dollar donation to the Lincoln Memorial Foundation (LMF) begins with Saf, who moved from Decatur to Lincoln in 1953 to run a Myers Industry plant. He brought his new bride, Betty, and the two settled into Lincoln, starting their family with their son Hunter’s arrival in 1954, and daughter Betsy who followed in 1957.
Dolan Dalpoas, president and CEO of Lincoln Memorial Hospital, remembers the couple as kind people and generous donors, dating back to their first gift to the hospital of $4,000 in 1961.
“Saf was a family man, a doting husband, smart as a tack and very inquisitive,” Dalpoas said. “He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from MIT – he was that kind of smart. He also had a strong moral compass and was generous with the wealth he had amassed. He was active, health-conscious and just an all-around wonderful human being.”
Devoted to each other, their family and community, Saf and Betty started out in an apartment and then bought a small starter home on 11th St. Eventually they built their family home, just west of town. Hunter’s childhood memories include regular picnics with family and friends, lots of yard work and hunting and fishing with his dad.
He and Betsy grew up watching their parents give back. Saf and Betty were intentional about how they chose organizations to give to and focused in on three areas they particularly cared about: conservation, education and healthcare.
“They set a wonderful example for many people, not just Betsy and me,” Hunter said. “What’s interesting is that Dad grew up in a family where the merits of philanthropy were debated. Nobody disliked or disapproved of it. Some just wondered how effective it was. As a young boy and young man, he listened to the different viewpoints of his elders and came down on the side that philanthropy was important and could make a difference in people’s lives.”
Accessibility of quality healthcare was a priority for the couple. When the current hospital was being built on Stahlhut Drive, Betty chose to help fund a therapy swimming pool for the rehabilitation department. She suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and wanted people to have an alternative exercise option that was easier on the joints. The couple also funded nursing and physician scholarships at Mayo Clinic, where they received care.
“They wanted to spread their philanthropy out locally, regionally and nationally, but they always wanted to do their due diligence in determining where best to give,” Hunter said. “They would consult with the organization to see where the needs were, then they would consider the options and choose an area to fund. They always wanted to be sensitive to the needs of the hospital or clinic.”
Dalpoas appreciates the relationship between the Peacock family and LMH, especially as the foundation board of directors begins to determine where best to utilize the million-dollar gift.
“Lincoln Memorial Hospital exists for one reason – to improve lives and build stronger communities through better health. This extraordinary gift will help fulfill that mission for generations to come,” Dalpoas said. “It is humbling to be remembered by the Henry Safford Peacock estate, and we will do our best to honor Saf and Betty through our efforts.”
Learn more about the Lincoln Memorial Foundation and how you can support the hospital, its patient services and community health initiatives.