Dr. Athey R. and Veronica S. Lutz had a lasting impact on the Mid-Ohio Valley through their involvement in charitable and service organizations in our community. Their lives touched many people and continue to do so today through the Dr. Athey and Veronica Lutz Fund, established at Our Community's Foundation. This fund is an unrestricted fund, enabling the Foundation to use the fund's earnings in response to the ongoing and changing charitable needs of the community.

Dr. Athey R. Lutz began his medical practice as an orthopedic surgeon in 1937 and dedicated fifty years of his life to the Parkersburg area until his retirement. Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Lutz had a special concern for the advancement of crippled children. He played a key role in the creation of the Wood County Society for Crippled Children and Adults, where he participated actively on the Board of Directors for nearly 35 years. The Crippled Children's Division of the WV Department of Welfare gave him the Distinguished Service award.

Dr. Lutz also was for many years a member of the Board of Directors of St. Joseph's Hospital, and he served on the board of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation from 1969-1971, as the appointee of the Parkersburg Academy of Medicine.

Like her husband, Veronica Lutz also was committed to helping people within the community. Mrs. Lutz's involvement in the community was extensive. She was the first West Virginian to belong to the American Association of Social Workers. She served on advisory boards of the State Department of Public Welfare, American Red Cross, Community Service Council, Wood County Youth Association, Wood County Board of Education, Parkersburg Day Nursery and the Junior League of Parkersburg. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Dr. and Mrs. Athey R. Lutz had three children: Katherine Lutz Coppock of Stowe, VT, John Sammel Lutz of Davis, WV, and Betty Sammel Lutz of Parkersburg and three grandchildren.