The Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award
The Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award will celebrate and honor an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the Pittsburgh community through leadership, service, and contributions with a special emphasis on cancer research. The recipient should exemplify the core definition of humanitarian as having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.
It was the vision and dedication of the late Dick Swanson which led to the development of The Stanley M. Marks Blood Cancer Research Fund. Dick was an enthusiastic fundraiser and after seeing the incredible work of Dr. Marks and the researchers at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center right here in Pittsburgh, he decided that he wanted to help. Dick then created the Research Fund as a way for grateful family, friends, and patients to say, 'thank you' and to help fund future research which has the potential to save many more people diagnosed with blood cancers.
Dick was a Pittsburgher his entire life. He graduated from Mt Lebanon High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Following his service with the United States Navy, Dick became a successful business owner in Carnegie. As an alum at Pitt, Dick was extremely active with the Delta Tau Delta fraternity where he served as President and later as Chapter Advisor for more than 20 years. He was also a huge supporter of Pitt Athletics, a passion he shared with his friend, Dr. Stanley Marks.
2023 Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award: Gary Bowser, Sr.
The Dr. Stanley M. Marks 8th Annual Dinner and Golf Classic is pleased to honor Gary Bowser, Sr. with this year's Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award. This award celebrates and honors an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the Pittsburgh community through leadership, service, and contributions with a special emphasis on cancer research.
The Bowser Automotive family of dealerships began in 1983 when Gary, who had been selling cars since the 1960's, decided to buy an old Pontiac and Subaru dealership in West Mifflin. Now, 40 years later, the company has grown into a family-owned and operated business with sons Gary and Kurt overseeing the operations of three Bowser dealerships that offer buyers six different automobile brands.
As the business grew in success, Gary began the family legacy of 'giving back' and supporting various causes and charities throughout the Pittsburgh region. These have included the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Dr. Stanley M. Marks Blood Cancer Research Fund to support cancer research at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. They have been steadfast in their support of these organizations and others, but rarely seek or want any recognition.
The Bowser's support and admiration for Dr. Marks began in 2004 when Gary's wife, Barb, was diagnosed with lymphoma. A mutual friend connected them with Dr. Marks and UPMC Hillman. The strong friendship and mutual admiration began that day. After two cancer diagnoses, Barb Bowser is cancer free, and the entire Bowser family committed to funding cancer research through the Dr. Marks Foundation.
The Dr. Stanley M. Marks Golf Classic draws a record number of golfers annually and the Bowser's are the only family who attend and participate together - for Dr. Marks and in honor of Barb. This year, the family was joined by their grandsons!
Gary is described as hard working, humble, kind, and generous. He is loyal to his family, his employees and to the Dr. Marks Foundation.
2022 Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award: Thomas E. Richards
The Stanley M. Marks 5th Annual Golf Classic is pleased to honor Thomas E. Richards, posthumously, with this year's Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award.
We are gratified that the Richards family made a $5 million commitment to the Stanley M. Marks Endowed Research Fund. This commitment comes from a decade's long relationship with Dr. Marks, which began when Tom was a standout point guard for the University of Pittsburgh Men's Basketball team back in the 1970's. As a well-known Pitt Panthers fan and a then Pitt graduate, Dr. Marks and Tom became fast friends.
It was that friendship that led Tom and his wife, Mary Beth, who were living in Chicago at the time, to call Dr. Marks when Tom was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts. Within two days, Tom and Mary Beth were on a plane to Pittsburgh and at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center with a team of doctors.
Tom's cancer was aggressive and despite the latest therapy available, Tom passed away at the age of 66 on Oct. 28, 2021. In addition to his wife, Mary Beth, and two children, Lindsay and Jason, Tom Richards left behind quite a legacy.
Born on Nov. 8, 1954, in Aliquippa, Tom earned a bachelor's degree in economics while he also earned respect on the basketball court. He led his team to a 22-game winning streak in the 1973-74 season when they also made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.
His love of basketball was also a family affair. Mary Beth Richards played for Pitt and their two children were point guards. Lindsay was a McDonald's All-American in high school and went on to play for the University of Iowa, while Jason played for Davidson where he led all Division I players in assists as a senior.
Tom earned a master's degree in management from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and spent his career in the tech industry serving in leadership positions. Tom also returned to the University of Pittsburgh where he served as the chairman of Pitt's Board of Trustees, a position he held until his death.
Tom Richards was well known and well respected throughout his career on the court, in the boardroom and in his personal life. He took pride in elevating those around him to succeed.
We are proud to bestow upon him and his family the 2022 Humanitarian Award.
2019 Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award: Joe Curtin
The Stanley M. Marks 4th Annual Golf Classic is pleased to honor Joseph (Joe) Curtin with the Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award. This award celebrates and honors an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the Pittsburgh community through leadership, service, and contributions with a special emphasis on cancer research.
A lifelong Pittsburgh resident, advocate, and leader in business and community, Joe has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Stanley M. Marks Blood Cancer Research Fund. He is among a small group of dedicated community members who founded the Golf Classic and Dinner with the goal of providing funds to support highly innovative and specialized cancer research that will have a direct impact on those diagnosed with blood cancers -here in Pittsburgh and worldwide.
Joe previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tube City IMS Corporation until his retirement in 2012. He currently serves on the IMS board of directors. A highly respected and accomplished businessman, Joe was equally active in several professional organizations in the steel industry.
Numerous western Pennsylvania initiatives and charitable organizations have also benefited from Joe's commitment, including the American Heart Association; Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
In recent years, Joe has put much of his philanthropic efforts behind Dr. Marks and his Blood Cancer Research Fund realizing that most people today have been touched in some way by cancer. He has seen firsthand the significant progress being made by the cancer research scientists at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and became more involved knowing that all dollars raised at this event in Pittsburgh remain in this community.
Since his retirement, Joe remains active and dedicated to providing not only financial support but generously offers his commitment of time. He is known to take a special interest in volunteering to help others with simply an afternoon of friendship, outings, or dining.
He's been called genuine, humbled, and inspirational by those who know him best. A fitting recipient of the 2019 Dick Swanson Humanitarian Award.
2018 Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award: Nadine Bognar
The Stanley M. Marks 3rd Annual Golf Classic is pleased to honor Nadine E. Bognar, posthumously, with the inaugural Perry R. (Dick) Swanson Humanitarian Award. We couldn't think of a more deserving person who epitomized the true definition of Humanitarian. Nadine succumbed to injuries suffered in a fire at her home in January of this year, but her legacy and her commitment will live on in our community.
In her lifetime, Nadine was known as a strong and respected leader in business; an active, hands-on member of the community; and a generous supporter of many non-profit organizations throughout Pittsburgh. A true Pittsburgher, Nadine saw a need and worked to fulfill it-whether that was through her generous financial support or her equally generous commitment of time and talent.
Numerous non-profit organizations received the Nadine Bognar commitment, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the Mercy Foundation, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Children's Home, and the Carnegie Museums, as well as the boards of the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center.
Nadine's efforts did not go unrecognized. For many years, Nadine was the only active (non-honorary) female board member of the Allegheny Club. In 1998, she received the Performing Arts Partnership and Achievement Award from Point Park University and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2000. That same year, she received the first Minerva award from the Pittsburgh Opera and was named FanFare's "Woman of the Year" in 2000 and 2001. In 2007, she was honored by the Pittsburgh Public Theater as their "Glorious Lady" and, in 2009, she was honored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at their annual Vegas on the Mon benefit.
It was her own personal battle with leukemia that strengthened her commitment to cancer research through Dr. Stanley M. Marks and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.