“The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever.”

– Konstantin Tsiolkovsky

Who We Are

Following the unexpected death of our dear friend, Dave Gheesling, on November 11, 2020, a group of his coworkers and friends decided there was no better avenue to honor his memory than to provide short-term financial support to his family while simultaneously promoting Dave’s love of planetary sciences, particularly space exploration.

Like Dave, we are perpetual optimists. We believe in pragmatic positivity, and
we are determined to do as Dave would do and take the next best step.

What We Do

The David B. Gheesling Trust will first and foremost provide short-term financial assistance for Dave’s immediate family – his life partner, Kasia, and Kasia’s two children, Natalia and Marcus – in order to cover any unforeseen expenses not already accounted for under the estate.

The Trust will secondarily offer charitable grants to organizations Dave supported during his lifetime or those that are otherwise compatible with his charitable interests. We anticipate supporting organizations such as Tellus Science Museum, Fernbank Science Center, Elachee Nature Science Center and Meteorite Association of Georgia.

We’ll focus largely on supporting students interested in pursuing their passion for the planetary sciences by funding educational trips and providing related scholarships. 

How We Work

In the coming years, we endeavor to honor Dave’s legacy and celebrate his life in ways that would complement his own visions and aspirations. He was revered in the interior and exterior finishing industries, in his community and in so many aspects of his life we can’t even begin to list. He worked tirelessly for philanthropic causes near and dear to his heart, without need or want for recognition.

 We intend to do the same.

Get Involved

In the coming months, we anticipate offering a number of ways for you to lend a hand. For now, the best and easiest way to help out is financially.

Donating is as easy as clicking a button and giving online.