George Tillquist: Legacy Giving Profile
IN MEMORY OF GEORGE E. TILLQUIST (1930 - 2019)
George E. Tillquist was born and raised in Illinois. He received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. George retired from Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO, now BP) after 35 years.
George and his wife Eleanor moved to Ventura in 1986 and immediately became involved in 31-plus years of civic and community service. Known for their generosity of both time and financial support, George was known to be a quiet force for good in our county.
George’s volunteer civic activities ranged from serving as Chair of the Library Advisory Commission, on the Community Partnerships: Grants Evaluation Team and on the Seize the Future Citizens Outreach Committee for the City of San Buenaventura. In addition, he served on the First 5 Children and Families First Commission of Ventura County Administration and Finance Committee. He has worked with United Way, FEMA, VC Homeless and Housing Coalition, CA Emergency Housing and Assistance Program, the Ventura County Community Foundation, California Care Safety-Net Funds, FOOD Share, Elderhostel, AARP, American Red Cross and others.
George joined the Ventura College Foundation Board of Directors in 2004 and was instrumental in the creation and implementation of programs and numerous resources for students during his 14 years of board service. George was made a Board Member Emeritus in 2018.
George and Eleanor’s dedication to the mission of the VC Foundation has made a tremendous impact on the lives of students at Ventura College over the years. In addition to their service, the Tillquist’s have awarded multiple scholarships and created two endowed scholarships (one was a birthday gift to Eleanor) that will continue to impact Ventura College students into perpetuity.
It has been said of George, “His reliability, consistency, integrity, and generous nature make George one of Ventura County’s greatest, albeit unsung, heroes... always with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.”