LEAVE A LEGACY THAT PROTECTS OUR OCEAN
A Gift that Lives On
A legacy gift to the MERITO Foundation is a powerful way to honor a loved one or ensure your values live on.
Your support helps connect underserved youth to the ocean, inspire future environmental leaders,
and protect our coasts for generations to come.
A Legacy in Action:
Richard Henry Deese
Richard Henry Deese (March 1, 1937 – February 24, 2024) lived a life shaped by the ocean.
Raised in Hermosa Beach in the 1950s, he became a pioneering surfboard shaper—studying and teaching in HawaiÊ»i before opening the South Bay Surf Shop in the early 1960s. He is known for inventing the Tunnel Fin for longboards.
After moving to Ventura County in the late 1960s, Richard made Camarillo his home. Though he stepped away from shaping boards, his connection to the ocean never faded. He became an avid deep-sea fisherman and remained deeply respectful of the people and cultures devoted to ocean stewardship.
In October 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the International Surfboard Builders Hall of Fame.
That same spirit lives on through his daughter’s $6,000 gift to MERITO—helping inspire young people to explore and protect the ocean he loved.
Honor a Life. Create Lasting Impact.
A legacy gift is more than a donation, it is an expression of love and purpose.
Your gift helps:
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Connect underserved youth to ocean and environmental education
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Inspire future environmental leaders
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Advance solutions for ocean and climate resilience
Each contribution carries forward a story, of a life remembered and a future protected.
Why Your Legacy Matters
Your support ensures that students experience hands-on learning in nature, diverse voices are represented in environmental fields, and our oceans are better understood and protected.
Together, we can build a future where both people and our planet thrive.
We're Here to Help
We understand that legacy giving is deeply personal. Our team is here to support you with care and confidentiality.
Email: info@meritofoundation.org
Or to the Executive Director: rocio.lozano@meritofoundation.org
Call us: 805-650-8510
