“Louise and Bob’s big hearts will live on through the continuation of this work at HSSV that was so important to them. Their lives will continue to make an impact far into the future.”

 

Robert and Louise Trogden met and fell in love in Los Gatos, California, and made their home there until 2016, when Bob passed away. For over 25 years, they gave generously to Humane Society Silicon Valley and many other charities that supported companion animals and wildlife. They gave of their time, their hearts, and through their personal funds.

Louise was a bookkeeper and Bob worked as a jack-of-all-trades at an automotive company. Bob was the sweetest, most gentle man and a wonderful husband. His “hobby” was investing (he was great at it!) and Louise’s hobby was to care for the cats along the creek in Vasona Park. Bob was supportive of Louise’s big-hearted efforts to do trap-neuter-release (TNR) of cats, long before data showed that TNR was an effective means of decreasing the number of kitties born to feral cats (otherwise known as community cats) and the key to managing down the number of cats in a colony.

She would feed, care for, and trap the kitties along the creek and take them to her own veterinarian to be spayed/neutered. She rehabbed and rehomed feral kittens, even adopting a few into the loving circle of Bob and Louise’s home. She was a meticulous dresser, but didn’t mind a little fur on her outfits! Bob and Louise loved many dogs and cats in their lifetime, and since they did not have children, they made provisions to support their favorite charities after their passing. HSSV was one of those fortunate charities.

Bob and Louise gave $25–$150 per year to HSSV for their many years of support, but we never had the chance to meet them to thank them. Being able to count on their support each year meant so much to us. Ensuring we could count on them and other supporters like them enabled us to grow and expand our mission each year.

Miraculously, HSSV was recently notified that we were gifted almost $500,000 through Louise’s will when she passed away in October 2018. In the spirit of Bob and Louise’s generosity over the years, HSSV will wisely shepherd these funds. Louise and Bob’s big hearts will live on through the continuation of this work at HSSV that was so important to them. Their lives will continue to make an impact far into the future.