Philanthropist Charles W. Hester Dead at Age 82

Charles W. Hester of Corona del Mar, a prominent philanthropist and real estate developer, died Thursday at age 82.

Hester, founder and president of Hester Development Co., died at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, where he was one of the founding board members and had served as chairman, hospital officials said.

“Charley and his wife, Nora, are one of the major reasons why Orange County residents have the health care services that are available today,” said Michael D. Stephens, Hoag Hospital president and chief executive officer.

Hester also was board chairman for Children’s Hospital of Orange County from 1990 to 1993 and was a trustee for the Orange County Performing Arts Center, to which he donated $1 million last year. He also donated $1 million to UC Irvine’s Beckman Laser Institute in 1988.

Additionally, he contributed to and served on boards at Chapman University, the UCI College of Medicine, Orange County Boys Scouts of America and the Providence Speech and Hearing Center.

At a benefit of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County in Newport Beach on Thursday night, more than 500 guests observed a moment of silence in Hester’s memory.

“He was magic,” said Mark Johnson, chairman of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. “More importantly than his support for the arts, Charley was one of the most warm, remarkable and kind human beings I have had the opportunity to meet and know in my lifetime. He had a profound effect on people.”

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nora, three daughters and their families: Charlene and Michael Immell, Marilyn and James Gianulias and Janet and Phillip Hamilton; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A private funeral service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hoag Heart Institute, Hoag Cancer Center or CHOC.