This January, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern and Director of Development Samantha Seals joined John Wilhelm’s friends and family at the Wing & Barrel Club in Sonoma to celebrate a life defined by generosity, community, and purpose. 

John Fredrick Wilhelm passed away on August 2, 2023, at his home in Tiburon, surrounded by his family. He was 79 years old. In the time since, those closest to him—and many beyond—continue to feel the extraordinary reach of his generosity. 

Throughout his lifetime, John spent his career building a group of international cultural exchange programs designed to bring together young people from around the world. He also supported more than 40 charitable organizations, donating to causes ranging from homelessness to environmental conservation. One of the organizations that John chose to support was Make-A-Wish. 

“I believe John chose Make-A-Wish because its mission aligned closely with his desire to make the world a better place,” says John’s niece, Kimberly DesJardine. “John was also a passionate traveler and adventurer, so the extraordinary experiences that Make-A-Wish creates for children and their families would have deeply resonated with him.” 

Through a legacy gift of more than $1 million, John made the largest single contribution in Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area’s history—the chapter’s first-ever gift over $1 million.

“When a donor leaves a legacy gift, they’re saying, ‘I care about this cause today and beyond my lifetime,’” Samantha says. “A transformational gift like John’s allows us to accelerate our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child in the greater Bay Area. He’s truly an inspiration for how to live, but also for how to give."

His gift came at a defining moment for the chapter, having just celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024 and the 10,000th wish granted in 2025.

“John has given us not only an incredible gift, but one that came at a critical time,” Betsy shared in her remarks to John’s family and friends at the Wing & Barrel Club. “As we plan for the next forty years and the next ten thousand wishes, gifts like John’s allow us to sustain and grow our mission and reach even more children and families.”

Those who knew him say John’s generosity was thoughtful, often quiet, and always with the purpose of making a difference in his community and the world. True to his character, the extent of John’s giving wasn’t even fully known during his lifetime. “I knew John for twenty-three years and did not know his level of generosity until after he passed,” shares Barbra Penaflor, daughter of John’s long-term partner, Tora Isi. “John’s quiet altruism will make a difference for those at Make-A-Wish, along with countless other lives his gifts have touched.” 

Today, John’s spirit of thoughtful generosity lives on through every wish his gift helps make possible, bringing hope, strength, and joy to children and families across the greater Bay Area for years to come. Says his niece, “Supporting an organization that brings such meaningful and lasting memories to others was a natural reflection of who he was.”