Oliver Tree’s family is honoring his “last wish” to establish a foundation to support up-and-coming artists.
On Sunday, one week after Dr. Oliver Tree died in a helicopter crash in Brazil, his family announced the foundation’s plans in an Instagram post called “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Very Grand Grant for Genius Babies.”
“Oliver is now back in California and can finally rest,” the post reads. “His legacy will live on through a foundation/endowment named ‘Dr. A pretty epic grant for gifted children from Oliver Tree is coming soon. ”
Tree wrote plans for the organization in his will before he died on June 14, his family said.
The family added, “We will make sure that his wishes come true, so that more joy, love, and art can spread throughout the world. That was his last wish.”
They also thanked “everyone who has reached out, shown love and support, and sent incredible tributes for Oliver,” noting that “constant love, support, and a positive attitude” helped Tree’s loved ones cope with the tragedy.
“We love you all so much. Oliver is so proud of all of his supporters, friends and family,” the post read. “Peace be with you Oliver.”
Two months before his death, Tree spoke about his will, in which he vowed not to leave any money to his family after his death.
“I don’t think the wealth or what I get from it is mine,” he said on “The Zach Sang Show” on April 24.
“That’s why my will says that when I die, none of my family members will receive a single penny,” he added, adding, “If I have a wife or children, (they) won’t receive a single penny.”
Instead, after establishing a foundation to draw attention from music, Tree said he wanted to put his money toward “the physical production of art” rather than education.
“You’re not allowed to buy equipment with that money. You’re not allowed to use that money to get education or schooling,” he said. “To physically produce things, you have to physically hire people. And you are allowed to rent equipment to make things.
“I basically have a committee that I’m going to set up when I pass, and I’m going to set it up during my lifetime. Basically, we’re all going to vote on who the money goes to every year.”
His surviving loved ones include his mother Christine Biggin Nickel, who said in a heartbreaking eulogy for her son that the late singer “made this world a better place.”
Tree was one of six people killed and injured last Sunday when two helicopters crashed in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, southwest of Rio de Janeiro. He was 32 years old.
