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Planned Gift Will Benefit Liver Transplant Program at UCSF
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Peter Liebl
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When Peter Liebl arrived home from UCSF after a successful liver transplant in 1995, a welcome task awaited him: sorting through dozens of cards, letters, and gifts from his third-grade students.
An inspiring teacher, Liebl's love of music, Native American culture, and the outdoors ignited similar passions in the youngsters of Frazier Park, a small, mountainous town in Southern California. The children couldn't wait to resume their recorder lessons and nature jaunts.
Thanks to the smooth surgery and excellent follow-up care he received at UCSF, Liebl was able to give Frazier Park School's third-graders another eight years of instruction until he retired in 2003. He eventually passed away in July 2005 from complications caused by Valley Fever—an infection created by wind-borne fungus
spores.
Liebl's sister, Brigitte Tyko, recalls that many of her brother's students spoke fondly at his memorial service of their music lessons. "He could really reach children through music," Tyko says. "Peter didn't want to just teach them from books. He wanted them to experience life fully."
Grateful for his happy last years, Liebl had plans to donate $50,000 from his estate to the Liver Transplant Program at UCSF, led by John Roberts, MD. Before he died, Liebl told his close friend, Daniel Seniuta, that he wanted to support the program.
Then, only three months after Liebl's death, Seniuta—who appeared to be in fairly good health—died unexpectedly. "It was just devastating for both families," Tyko remembers. "We experienced tremendous sadness—first with Peter passing, then Dan."
Even through their grief, the families felt profound gratitude for the care Liebl received at UCSF. They were especially grateful to learn that Liebl's desire to support UCSF's transplant program was fulfilled after his death. The donation came in the form of a planned gift from Seniuta's estate.
"Peter and Dan were both really touched—not only by the skill of everyone at UCSF, but also by their kindness," Tyko affirms. "We hope that this gift will enable other families to hold on to their loved ones as long as we did."
For information on making a planned gift to UCSF, contact Dan Riley at driley@support.ucsf.edu or 415/476-1475.
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