Hubert Carver Perry

HUBERT CARVER PERRY, affectionately known as Mr. Whittier passed away on February 20, 2016 of natural causes in his beloved hometown. He was 102 years old.



Those who knew himwhich would include virtually everyone involved in academia, commerce, health care, or politics in the Whittier area over the last centurywill remember his keen sense of civic duty, robust local pride, unparalleled work ethic, and his dedication to his wife, Louise and his family.



Hubert was born on June 11, 1913 in Whittier. He attended Whittier High School (where his fathers and his own name still adorn the gymnasium wall) and Whittier College, where he graduated in 1935 and served many years on the Board. He then left Southern California to earn an MBA at Stanford University completing his degree in 1938. Hubert had the distinction of being the oldest living Stanford graduate for many years before his passing, an honor he relished.



In 1939, Hubert began a career with Bank of America that would span three and a half decades, with a break to serve in the US Navy during WWII. After the War he returned to Bank of America to join the organizations first corporate banking team. After Huberts father, Herman Perry, retired from the Bank after 40 years of service, Hubert transferred to the Whittier branch where his father had been the manager. Hubert was instrumental in financing much of the development of East Whittier and Friendly Hills and was promoted to Regional Vice President managing most all of the branches in the Los Angeles Area until his retirement in 1974. Hubert was a strong civic leader, serving as president of the Whittier Chamber of Commerce as well as the Lions Club.



In response to the question from both reporters and family, Whats the secret to your longevity? Hubert almost always referred to his passionate work for PIH Health. He began working with the struggling Murphy Hospital in 1955, and his funded depreciation model of saving for building improvements and new equipment helped strengthen PIH Healths financial position and transform the organization into a leading regional medical center. Hubert served as Chair of the Board for the hospital for 15 years, in addition to serving as the Treasurer and as a Trustee. PIH Health showed its gratitude by naming the PIH Health Hospital - Whittier Hubert C. Perry Pavilion after him.



There are too many other achievements and accolades to mention in an obituary, but no history of Hubert would be complete without a mention of Richard Nixon, who was Huberts childhood classmate, close friend, and eventually his President. In honor of his friend, Hubert worked at the Whittier Nixon Foundation, served as a trustee of the Richard M. Nixon Foundation, and was involved in founding the Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, to which he donated personal correspondence from his private collection including a letter from his father Herman who as head of the Republican Nominating Committee invited Nixon to run for Congress in the late 40s.



Finally, though Hubert was a businessman and doer by nature, he was also a devoted family man. He proposed to his late wife, Louise Bacon Perry, on their very first date, after meeting her at a Stanford Reunion and they were together faithfully for 71 years before she predeceased him in 2010. Together, they raised four children and traveled the world. Hubert was a prolific painter who captured the many English castles on canvas.



Hubert is survived by his four children: Lee, Brian, Ellen, and Mark; his seven grandchildren: Chris, Josh, Lauren, David, Kyle, Mark, and Sabrina; and his three great-grandchildren: Caleb Carver, Andrew, and Rory.



A memorial to Hubert Perrys long and well-lived life will be held on Saturday March 5, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Whittier First Friends Church, 13205 Philadelphia Street, Whittier, CA 90601. 562.698.9805.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PIH Health Foundation at www.pihhealth.org/support. Nothing would bring him more joy than to see PIH Health continue to thrive financially. Donations can also be directed to PIH Health Foundation in memory of Hubert Perry, 12401 Washington Blvd., Whittier, CA 90602-1006. Or please contact the PIH Health Foundation at 562.698.0811 Ext. 81520.