Frances and Rueben (Ben) Gums Estate Gift Story

Working in ministry, Reuben and Frances (Seifert ’52) Gums were never what anybody would consider well-off. They met serving on the mission field in the Philippines in the late 1950s and together dedicated their lives to ministry.

After returning to the States from the Philippines, Ben and Frances served with multiple ministries. In Chicago, Ben served as the director of radio and television for The Church Federation, and Frances served with Church Women United and the United Presbyterian Church. After moving to New York City in 1968, Ben worked as the director of radio and television for the Council of Churches in the City and Frances became the director of curriculum development for the National Council of Churches.

Frances was a multi-talented young lady. During her time at Houghton University, where she was a piano performance major, Frances also participated in band, choir, a capella choir, oratorio, track, and field hockey and was on the Boulder (yearbook) staff. During her life, Frances completed two master’s degrees: one in urban elementary education and one at the Julliard School of Music in vocal performance. Although offered a career as a performer and having performed with both the Lyric Opera Company of Chicago and the Chicago Civic Opera Company, Frances followed her love of teaching.

Frances passed away in 1970 at only 40 years old. Frances lived a life well supported by her Houghton education—one of service, compassion, and lifelong learning. She loved Houghton; and because she loved Houghton, so did her husband Ben.

Although Ben and Frances were never wealthy, when Ben sold their home in New York City to retire in North Dakota he found he had something extra to share with the causes and people he and Frances cared about most. Ben and Frances had no children; and although Ben outlived his wife by 47 years, he never remarried. Ben determined that whatever was left of his assets should be split evenly into quarters between three colleges and his own surviving siblings. One of those colleges was Houghton University.

Ben went home to be with the Lord in October of 2017. Since then, the gift through his estate has provided substantial financial aid to Houghton students through the Student Scholarship Fund.

Ben’s nephew, Bill Weispfenning, recalls four key traits that characterized Ben and Frances. “They possessed a deep, enduring faith,” says Bill. “They lived with a commitment to service; they were always looking for ways to help others; and finally, they shared a strong commitment to the value of education.”

Frances exhibited many of the trademark characteristics of a Houghton graduate. Thanks to careful stewardship throughout a life of service, Ben’s and Frances’ legacy lives on in the support of more Houghton graduates capable of significant Kingdom impact.