Veteran Endowment Honors Daughter’s Memory
April 21, 2020 - San Antonio
Leaving a legacy of helping others. The late Denise Gaertner Tippy (pictured) will be memorialized through The Denise Gaertner Tippy Scholarship Endowment for Veterans, which aims to help veterans adjust to college life. Courtesy photo.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
Sam Houston State University President Emeritus Dr. James Gaertner and former SHSU First Lady Nancy Gaertner have established an endowment honoring their daughter, Denise Gaertner Tippy, who passed away in February.
The Denise Gaertner Tippy Scholarship Endowment for Veterans is a gift that comes from a family’s loss, but it also represents a continuing legacy of helping others.
“Denise was always happy when she was helping people,” recalls Mrs. Gaertner. “We see this as a wonderful way of honoring her and also helping out the university which we love.”
After graduating from Thomas Clark High School in San Anin 1985, Denise attended San Antonio College and Sam Houston State University, and graduated from Dental Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls two years later. Serving in the Air Force from 1986 to 1992, she spent most of her active duty at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan where she served as a dental assistant.
“Denise’s happiest years were probably her time in the Air Force. She was married and had her son Cody,” Dr. Gaertner said. “I remember she drove a little red jeep and enjoyed scuba-diving with friends.”
Upon her honorable discharge, she was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, and the National Defense Medal.
Upon her return to San Antonio, Denise utilized her training as a dental assistant and clinic supervisor at the UT Health Science Center. During that time, she assisted faculty and students in major procedures, and worked with dental students in preparing them for their board certification exams.
Paying tribute to their daughter’s independent and adventurous spirit that led her to serve in the Air Force, the Gaertners made the decision to focus their gift specifically on supporting student veterans.
“We know it can be challenging for veterans to adjust to college life and we want to make that transition easier for them,” Mrs. Gaertner said.
Through these scholarships to veterans, the couple takes comfort in knowing their daughter is still helping others, just as she was always willing to do.
“I hope the students who receive the scholarship will appreciate her and then also be inspired to give back in their future and pay it forward to someone else,” Dr. Gaertner said. “It is a tremendous way in which Denise can be remembered forever.”
Individuals interested in contributing to the scholarship may contact Thelma Mooney in the SHSU Office of Advancement via email.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.