Copley’s Legacy

How the generosity of Col. Ira C. Copley transformed health care in and around Aurora

Residents in Aurora, Illinois, and the Fox Valley area have long entrusted the doctors and nurses at Rush Copley Medical Center to provide them with high-quality health care. Opening in 1886 as the Aurora City Hospital with five physicians and 12 beds, the hospital stands as a testament to the vision and generosity of Col. Ira C. Copley, a prominent newspaper publisher and philanthropist, and his wife, Edith.

Shortly after the Great Depression, Col. Copley made several significant financial contributions that saved the hospital from closing and eventually led to its renaming to Copley Hospital. Following his death in 1947, Col. Copley left an endowment of $1.25 million to the hospital, which was once again renamed Copley Memorial Hospital in his honor.

Over the years, Col. Copley’s investments fueled various expansions and improvements, ensuring the hospital was able to adapt to the changing needs of the surrounding communities, expand services and provide excellent care to people when they needed it most. His philanthropy laid the foundation for what would eventually become Rush Copley Medical Center.

“Col. Copley’s incredibly generous endowment gift guaranteed a permanent resource for Rush Copley,” said John Diederich, Rush Copley president and CEO. “His love and commitment to the medical center and this community was clear. It is an absolute honor when anybody includes Rush in an estate plan — and doing so has such a lasting impact.”

Estate gifts can profoundly impact an organization’s future, as demonstrated by the generosity of Col. Copley. These gifts provide long-term financial support, often building endowments that generate steady income. The financial stability provided by Col. Copley has allowed us to push past boundaries and improve health outcomes for all. By including Rush in your estate plan, not only will you be invited to join the Rush Heritage Society, but you will leave a lasting legacy, helping us advance our mission for generations to come.

To learn more about gift planning or discuss options that might be right for you, please contact Susan Sasvari, executive director of gift planning, at (312) 942-3691 or giftplanning@rush.edu.