Anaheim Civic Leader Allan Hughes Dies

Allan B. Hughes, former executive director of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Anaheim Memorial Hospital board chairman, has died of cancer.

Hughes, described by his friends as a family man, patriot and community supporter, died Saturday at his Tustin home. He was 72.

A retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel and founder of an Anaheim paper company, Hughes served as head of the chamber for 11 years before stepping down in June 1994.

“He was a big booster for Anaheim. . . . He had a lot to do with [the city’s] growth and prosperity,” said former City Councilman Irv Pickler. “He was there to keep this community moving forward. He was a giver and a doer. He’s going to be sorely missed.”

Hughes was involved in many community activities and organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim and Cypress College Foundation Board.

For the last nine years, he served as Anaheim Memorial Hospital’s governing board chairman, said Chris D. Van Gorder, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. He had been involved with the hospital since 1978 when became a member of a board committee, and later a member of the board.

After he was elected as board chairman in October 1987, Hughes was reelected to that post by the board every year since. Van Gorder said Hughes was planning to step down later this month.

Van Gorder said Hughes was “a tremendous person,” and is leaving “a legacy of service to his community.”

“The question is, what didn’t he do for the community?” Van Gorder said. “I don’t think the man ever said ‘no’ to a community organization. I don’t know anyone in Anaheim in government or nonprofit organizations that didn’t know Allan. He served without complaint.”

Hughes also served on a number of community boards, including the Anaheim Industrial Development Board, the California Angels Advisory Board, the Anaheim Arts Soiree and the Anaheim branch of the American Heart Assn.

Van Gorder said Hughes was most proud of his recent appointment to the California Commission on Aging by Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove).

Hughes, a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., founded Hughes Paper Co., an Anaheim business that had become the sole supplier of paper towels and tissue for Disneyland.

When he retired from that company, he and partner Herb Leo formed Transpark Inc. and created a mass transportation proposal for the city’s major venues and shopping areas. Their proposal has not been enacted.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Midge; four daughters, Kathy, Lee, Mindi and Sally; a sister, Katherine Quay; a brother, Edwin, and 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sept. 12 at Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Blvd. A reception will follow at the church.

Donations may be directed to the Cypress College Scholarship Fund, attention Gail Taylor, Cypress College Foundation, 9200 Valley View St., Cypress CA 90630, or to the American Cancer Society, hospice service or charity of the donor’s choice.