by Winston Chua
Longtime San Marino resident Bill Hurt and his wife Sally were named honorees at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles’ annual gala Noche de Niños Saturday night. The Hurts received the philanthropists Courage to Care Award at the gala, which raised more than $3.1 million in unrestricted funds, helping CHLA meet important needs.
The Hurts, who have been residents of San Marino since 1955, have generously invested in the lives of children through their contributions in the Children’s Hospital Institute for Medical Education.
Bill Hurt spent 62 years of his life in the investment field, for both Dean Witter and The Capital Group, but it’s his investment in the lives of children that he is truly proud of.
“It’s investing in human capital,” the 87-year-old grandfather said. “Curing a kid with a debilitating ailment can potentially make them effective for the next 60-70 years. It’s the highest return in investing I can think of.”
Hurt graduated from both the University of Southern California and Harvard Business School after serving in the U.S. Navy and then began his working career at Dean Witter.
He is on several CHLA committees and said one of the challenging aspects of his current work is making sure CHLA is adequately appreciated for the work they do in taking care of kids.
Hurt is passionate about the physicians, nurse and teachers in the hospital who provide instruction to some 180 residents and interns who take care of countless children at the hospital. His passion for teaching stretches beyond the walls of the hospital as well, funding visiting scholars in joint fellowships at Caltech and The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens where his wife, Sally, served as an overseer. George and Mary Lou Boone, after whom a gallery is named at The Huntington, were dear friends of the Hurts.
The WHH Foundation, named after him, includes directors Andy Barth and Bernadette Glenn, residents of San Marino. Some of the foundation’s efforts go to support the work of CHLA.
Hurt, who also serves on the Humanities Board at Caltech, added, “Children don’t get to vote and don’t write their congressmen; but they need an advocate to get their medical support.”
Each of his three daughters attended San Marino schools and Hurt said of the City: “San Marino is the most solid community I can think of.”
Other notable honorees at the gala included Oscar winner Natalie Portman and Costco Wholesale. Guests for the event included more than 1,200 prominent philanthropists, local dignitaries and CHLA supporters.
