They met in high school, and fifty-five years later, they married. Frances Roderick was a student at Radford when she met young Robert Axelson, who was good friends with Frances's neighbor, the son of County Sheriff Chris Fox.

It was 1940, just before World War II, when Robert received his appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He had left behind his high school sweetheart in El Paso, Patricia Allwine. So, when the occasional dance came about, Robert escorted Frances Roderick, who was a friend of Patricia's, and a student at Goucher College in nearby Baltimore.

D-Day, 1944 was a day to remember historically, and personally for Frances, Robert and Patricia. Frances graduated from Goucher, Robert graduated the Naval Academy, and Robert and Patricia married—with Frances as their maid of honor. One year later Frances was married to Bruce Barnard, the day of his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint. "Many people from El Paso made the long trip to New York for the graduation and wedding at Westpoint Chapel," remembers Frances. "Congressman R.E. Thomason gave me away, since my father and brother were away in the war."

Robert Axelson was ordered to the U.S.S. Devilfish, a submarine assigned to the South Pacific. In March of 1945, a Japanese Kamikaze pilot crash-attacked the Devilfish as she was submerging for a patrol mission. "It was the only U.S. submarine known to have survived a Kamikaze attack," said Robert.

After the war, the two families lived thousands of miles apart. Business took Robert and Patricia to Cincinnati, and Frances and Bruce came home to El Paso. In 1993, Robert Axelson telephoned his long-time friends in El Paso with sad news: Patricia, his wife of fifty years, had died. He later came back to El Paso to visit, and in ensuing visits, Robert renewed his friendship with Frances, also widowed. "She is the kindest person in the world. I just kept coming back." Another year in courtship, and they married.

Today they live very happily in El Paso, and both are strong supporters of their hometown. "This is the place we should be," says Robert. "I would not have it any other way."

Frances Roderick Axelson grew up with the extraordinary example of philanthropy. Her parents, Dorrance D. and Olga B. Roderick, helped establish the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, and financed it over the years. They helped found the El Paso Community Foundation, and gave generously to it. Today Robert and Frances carry those traditions forward. Frances served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the El Paso Community Foundation. Robert served on its Investment Committee. "We both inherited the tradition to give back to those in need," says Robert, "and we want to pass that tradition along."

Robert and Frances Axelson's Great Gift to El Paso is their personal story, and their family history of philanthropy, leadership, and commitment to home and country. The Axelsons are beloved El Pasoans who return the love of their family and many friends by setting an example for us all.

Their charitable funds in the El Paso Community Foundation are tenets of the Foundation's purpose: For Good. For El Paso. Forever.