Foundation honors charitable father, son (2024)

By Laura Layden of the Naples Daily News

Artistic, brilliant, amazing, creative, effortless, thoughtful, wise generosity.

The words of praise seemed to go on and on as family, friends and a "who's who" of business leaders recognized this year's recipients of the LIFE Award, given out by the Edison College Foundation on Wednesday.

For the first time, the award, which recognizes leadership in advancing educational opportunities, went to a father and son ? Raymond L. Lutgert and Scott F. Lutgert.

The spotlight shined on Raymond, the founder of Naples-based developer The Lutgert Cos., for a second time in less than a week.

On Saturday, he made a record $2 million bid at the Naples Winter Wine Festival, winning a 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop convertible in the charity auction.

At Wednesday's awards luncheon, held at The Naples Grande Resort & Club, the bid became all the buzz.

After taking the stage to receive the crystal torch-shaped LIFE award, Lutgert brought up the bid himself.

"Everybody is telling me congratulations for buying the car," he said. "That isn't what it was all about, of course."

He said it was about giving back to the community. The auction benefits children's charities in Collier County, charities that teach and provide support in other ways.

• PODCAST: Hear a report and comments from Raymond Lutgert, who received the LIFE Award, along with his son, Scott, from the Edison College Foundation in recognition of leadership in advancing educational opportunities.

He said he ordered the same model and make of car from a dealer "some time ago." But once he saw the manufacturer offering it at the auction, he knew he'd bid on it.

He expected to spend more on the car in the auction than at the dealership. What he didn't know is that he'd get into a bidding war and pay more than four times the value of the car.

"I can say I kind of cursed the buyer that bid against me. I didn't feel that kindly toward him," he told the crowd of about 350 who gathered in a hotel ballroom to honor him and his son.

"The moral of that story is to give to your community, help your community," he said.

In an interview after the ceremony, he admitted having second thoughts after spending so much.

"I think I had a little bit of buyer's remorse, as they call it," he said. "What did I do? What did I do?"

The car is so new, it won't be delivered until September. The one at the auction was actually a prototype. Only 100 will be made.

Scott's son, Kurt Lutgert, gave an emotional speech at the luncheon that brought his father and grandfather to tears. He thanked them for being "beacons of light" in the community and for their support of their families.

"We're all meant to shine as children do," Kurt Lutgert said. "Both of you cause all of us to shine a bit more."

"You're honest," he added. "You're fair. You're funny."

Kurt works as a vice president at The Lutgert Cos., where his father is chairman and chief executive.

The Edison College Foundation received an anonymous nomination for the father and son team. Other nominees couldn't beat out the two men, who have been business partners since 1970 in the company that developed Park Shore and the Village at Venetian Bay.

"We thought the father and son tipped the scale," said Tracey Galloway, district director for the Edison College Foundation. "When you put the two of them together and consider what they've been doing for all these years in Collier County, it's hard not to choose them over someone else."

The LIFE award is named after Holland T. Salley, the first recipient and a longtime member of Edison's foundation board. LIFE stands for Leadership in Fostering Education.

Raymond Lutgert's philanthropy has touched many educational organizations, from the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County and the YMCA to the Education Foundation of Collier County and Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero.

Lutgert helped start a specialized cancer center for the NCH Healthcare System. An accomplished artist, he created and donated a sculpture titled "Education... The Lyric of Life" to Edison's Collier campus.

Scott Lutgert serves as chairman of the board of trustees for Florida Gulf Coast University. He's past chairman of the board of NCH Healthcare System and sits on the board of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts.

He's board chairman of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, which in seven years has raised more than $55 million for Collier County children's charities. On Saturday, the festival's auction raised more than $16 million, shattering its own world record for a wine auction.

Scott Lutgert said it was extraordinary to receive such an award. He said getting it with his father, who he described as a longtime friend, made it all the more special.

He said his father has always emphasized the importance of education.

"We can invest in buildings and business...," he said. "But education is a wonderful thing. It's a long-term investment in the community. ... It just makes all of our lives better."

Raymond Lutgert offered these words to show his appreciation: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

He urged everyone to give back to the community. He emphasized that everyone has something to give (even if they don't have $2 million in the bank to buy a rare Rolls-Royce).

"The more you can give and share of your talents, whatever they may be, to make this a better community than it even is now, please, please do it," he said. "Do it to help others in the future."