Tapping the Talents of George Bearup

As the new chair of the MHRF, George Bearup is an enthusiastic supporter of Munson Healthcare and its mission.

“I view Munson as an invaluable resource in our community that impacts more lives than virtually any other enterprise,” he said. “I wanted to be a part of positively touching the lives of that many people. I honestly believe Munson does more good in the community than any other organization — and that’s not to say that others aren’t important or doing good work.”

George’s expertise in estate planning has been a valuable asset for the Foundation. He is a partner of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge in Traverse City and practices law in the areas of estate planning and retirement planning, business law, and family law.

His swift rise from new board member to board chair in less than two years may be explained by the fact that his skills so closely align with the Foundation’s needs.

“George is a wonderful resource for the Foundation because of the caliber of his experience along with his knowledge of the finer points of charitable giving,” said Jay Zrimec, President of the Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation. “We are grateful for his leadership.”

George is passionate about preserving the high quality of health care provided at Munson. “The Foundation’s role in securing the future of Munson Healthcare is absolutely critical,” he said. “We must embrace a Culture of Philanthropy. Philanthropy is more than an amenity — it’s more than a sporadic windfall. We cannot take Munson for granted. I see the Foundation’s role as keeping Munson at the forefront of the minds of the community.”

George has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan for more than 30 years and is extremely active in the Traverse City community. He served as chairman of Rotary Charities, sits on the Munson Healthcare Board of Directors, and is active in the Northern Michigan Charitable Giving Council, the Women’s Resource Center, and the Community Health Clinic. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America because of his various community activities and his practice in trusts and estates.

George and his wife, Patricia, have two children, Brooke and Jay. They have lived in Traverse City since 1978.