Legacy Society Member - Roger Armstrong
Roger Armstrong and his late wife, Judy, longtime ASA supporters, made the thoughtful decision to leave a forever gift to ASA in their estate plans. At a recent visit with Roger, he shared his story and passion for protecting our natural resources.
From Summer Farm Boy to Chemist
Born and raised near Boston, Roger was ten when his parents bought an abandoned Maine farm. The farmstead was in the middle of nowhere and had no power or running water. Over time the farm became the family’s retreat. Roger enjoyed being a summer farm boy who fixed fences and chased the neighbor’s cows.
After graduating from Tufts and a stint in the Navy, Roger attended Rutgers and received a PhD in Chemistry. Roger spent the next 30 years teaching chemistry at Troy’s Russell Sage College.
Land Conservation Advocate
Roger's affinity for environmental conservation grew as he recognized that clean water was a priceless natural resource. Protecting land around the Tomhannock Reservoir and promoting healthy watersheds became his passion.
His land conservation work began in 1987 when he co-founded the Rensselaer Taconic Land Conservancy (RTLC), now the Rensselaer Land Trust. Roger served this all-volunteer organization for 20 years.
Along Came ASA
Roger recalled a meeting in the early 1990s of the two fledging land trusts. Roger and other RTLC board members met Teri Ptacek, ASA’s first executive director, and board member Dave Horn at a brewpub in Albany to share insights and talk about ASA’s success in protecting farmland. Roger smiled and chuckled, “Over a beer, I realized I was becoming part of a conservation movement!”
We thank you, Roger, for making a forever impact on our region and leaving a legacy gift to ASA.
"Over a beer, I realized I was becoming part of a conservation movement!”
— Roger Armstrong
Legacy Society Seeds the Future
Join Roger Armstrong and make a planned gift to ASA. Your legacy gift will steward and protect our region’s irreplaceable farmland and forests for future generations. You’ll be seeding the continuation of ASA’s forever work.
Legacy gifts may be given through your will, retirement plan assets, life insurance policies,
donor-advised funds, bank or brokerage accounts, CD’s, charitable remainder trusts or
real estate donations.
We’re happy to be a resource for you. There is never any pressure or obligation to make
a gift. Explore your options by contacting Donna Dodd-Thomas at donna@agstewardship.org
or 518-692-7285. You may also visit the “Ways to Give” page.
Let Us Thank You
If you have included ASA in your will or estate plans, please let us know. We’d like to thank
you for your generosity and recognize you as a member of our Legacy Society.
