Robert Walter Levy was a man of many talents. A classically trained pianist and master piano restorer, he provided services for some of New York City’s most renowned music halls. He was also an antiques dealer who found many rare items—including an original red vinyl 1957 Elvis Presley Christmas album, which became the most expensive record ever sold at Christie’s Auction House.

But most of all, Robert was a person driven by compassion. An ethical vegan, he dedicated the last 15 years of his life to rescuing animals and promoting animal rights. He founded and ran a nonprofit organization called Goat Mountain Ranch Sanctuary, located in Western North Carolina, where he cared for more than 90 neglected and abandoned animals, including goats, sheep, potbellied pigs, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, and even peacocks. He also helped find loving homes and foster families for many other animals.

Robert wanted his compassion to live on even after he was gone, which is why he included PETA in his estate plans. Legacy gifts like the one that he left are a crucial source of funding for PETA’s work to help animals.

There are many options for supporting PETA’s work through your estate. Some of the best-known and most popular ones include bequests from wills and trusts. But did you know that you can also put your assets to work helping animals? Retirement plans, financial accounts, life-insurance policies, and other assets can all be donated. It’s easy—and best of all, it can make a huge difference for animals.

Planned gifts carry your compassion into the future. And it doesn’t require a great deal of wealth—every donation makes a difference for animals in need. If you do make the commitment to help fund PETA’s work for animals, you’ll be welcomed into our Augustus Club, which is a great way to keep in touch with PETA as well as other like-minded people.

Your estate plan represents your beliefs, your compassion, and your legacy. PETA’s philanthropic specialists can help you design a long-term gift that’s right for you—and that will help ensure a better future for animals.

As Robert’s partner Patti wrote,

“His life touched the lives of many beings, and his memory will live on as his gentle nature became a part of all who knew him.”

Thanks to his generous gift, his compassion will continue to make the world a kinder place for all living beings.

By Lindsay Pollard-Post