Philanthropist Paul Whittier Dies
N. Paul Whittier, whose philanthropy benefited such diverse groups as the San Diego Maritime Museum and Scripps Memorial Hospitals, died Wednesday at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. He was 87.
Whittier, chairman of the M.H. Whittier Corp. in South Pasadena, had lived with his family mainly in Los Angeles, but many of his gifts were bestowed on San Diego groups, a Scripps Hospital spokesman said.
The family’s gifts included $5 million to establish The Whittier Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology and $4 million to the Mericos Eye Institute, both at Scripps Memorial Hospitals.
The Whittiers also restored the steam yacht Medea, now valued at about $2 million, and gave it to the San Diego Maritime Museum. Other beneficiaries have included the Zoological Society of San Diego, the Aerospace Museum and the annual San Diego Crew Classic, which Whittier helped establish.
“Paul Whittier left a trail of wonderful things wherever he went,” said close friend Joe Jessop Sr. “No matter where he was, he always got involved and made things better because of it.
Whittier is survived by his wife Lucy Thorne Whittier, children Peter and Laddia, and four grandchildren.
Memorial services at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla are being planned.
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