Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > September > 17 > Entry
Richard Topfer and HAAM Benefit Day, Part 1
Richard Topfer, like his famous father, Mort, is a square-built man with a bold face. His words are blunt, not rude. He’s funny without being trivial. His mind focuses on business, but he’s also devoted to service.
“Speaking from a foundation standpoint, we are acutely aware of certain times,” he says. “Katrina times, tsunami times, when potential dollars go in those directions and don’t stay in the local market. So we respond to that with increased local giving.”
At Uno coffeeshop in Davenport Village, he wants to chat about Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, the nonprofit health provider. Richard chairs the only nonprofit board on which he serves.
“I moved to Austin because it’s neat and unique,” says the Westlake Hills businessman and music lover. “The vibrant music has kept Austin weird, for want of a better word. I spend a lot of time in Colorado. I always say I’m from Austin, not Texas. When I say ‘Austin,’ they say ‘Oh I hear that’s a neat place to be.’ My fear is that, as Austin continues to grow, we’ll lose that charm.”
To be continued…
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