Hungarian-born Penczner and his German wife, Jolanda, were an integral part of a thriving community of Central European expats in Memphis. Alongside them was Dr. Gabor Tigyi, a fellow Hungarian and the head of the Department of Physiology at UT Health Science Center. Physiology is the foundation science that governs how organs and the body function.
The Penczners were captivated by Tigyi’s research and entrusted him with their estate. They established two legacy funds to maintain research excellence and offer early-career assistance to physiology department members. Through their generous gifts, the Penczners supported young scientists and provided opportunities for non-native U.S. scholars in Memphis.
Their legacy lives on through the Community Foundation, which safeguards their charitable impact for future generations. To learn more about the Penczners’ philanthropic endeavors, visit cfgm.org/wkno.
