Omaha philanthropist Marshall Faith, whose generosity benefitted numerous Omaha organizations, including UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, died Oct. 20 at age 96. Faith was founder of global agribusiness Scoular.
Over the years, Faith and his late wife, Mona, generously gave their time and money to make life better for others, including donating to several projects at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. In 2015, the couple helped fund Leslie’s Healing Garden, which was named after their daughter who lost her battle with pediatric cancer at age 2. A respite for patients, families and staff, the 7,700-square-foot garden is a centerpiece of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Healing Arts Program.
The couple also donated to the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, which opened in May 2013 on the med center’s Omaha campus. The donation came after a personal experience with macular degeneration that endangered Mona Faith’s sight and sparked the couple’s passion to invest in the treatment of ocular disease.
“It was a profound honor to know Marshall and to witness the thoughtful, compassionate way he and Mona approached their philanthropic work,” said Amy Volk, senior vice president, UNMC, and chief development officer, Nebraska Medicine, for the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Their decisions were always guided by faith, a deep love for family and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. Marshall’s devotion to Mona, their family, the Scoular team and the broader community was inspiring and enduring.
“One of my most cherished memories is the celebration with the Faith family as we dedicated Leslie’s Healing Garden, a space that continues to offer peace and comfort to patients, families and caregivers. Each time I see someone finding solace there, I think of Marshall and Mona and the joy they would feel knowing that Leslie’s memory lives on in such a meaningful way.”
A Salina, Kansas, native, Faith purchased a majority interest in Scoular-Bishop Grain in 1967, and he served as CEO for 23 years and chairman for 25 years. At the time of his death, he held the title of chairman emeritus. He later was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame, and through the Scoular and Faith Family Foundations, he helped direct tens of millions of dollars in charitable giving, impacting Omaha and many rural communities.