Hoyt Swift Pardee, a successful businessman, philanthropist, humanitarian and environmentalist, passed away at his home on November 23. He was 91. A resident of Pacific Palisades most of his life, Hoyt was also a loving husband, father and grandfather who helped orchestrate several large family reunions and served as the family historian, collecting information about the family dating back to the early 1600s.’ Born on May 15, 1918 in Hollywood, Pardee graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1936, and then from UCLA with a degree in general business and accounting. He joined the Navy in 1942, earning the rank of lieutenant. That same year, he married Carol Kingsley; their marriage lasted until her death in August 1989. They raised their three sons, Douglas, Wesley and David, in Pacific Palisades.’ ‘ In February 1946, Pardee and brother George joined with their father George, Sr., to form the Pardee Construction Company. At that time, they adopted a policy that all business decisions taken by the partnership had to be unanimous and maintained this policy after their brother J. Douglas joined the company in 1948, and after their father’s death in 1952.’The brothers credited this policy for much of their success over almost 60 years of working together.’ In 1955, Pardee founded and was chairman of Weyerhaeuser Mortgage Company (formerly Pacific Western Mortgage), which grew to become the fourth-largest mortgage company in the country by the time of his retirement in 1986. Pardee was also retired as chairman of the board of Par-West Financial, and president of Westwood Insurance Company and Weyerhaeuser Venture Company.”””’ Pardee and his brothers were inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 1985 with this commendation: ‘George Pardee, Sr., and his three sons have left a durable heritage of architectural design, efficient home building, and commercial construction that will remain significant for generations to come. Thousands of residents of California and Nevada live in well-planned homes, shop at modern malls, walk on open trails, and play in landscaped parks provided by this visionary company.’ Pardee Construction had merged with Weyerhaeuser Company in 1969.” Soon after retiring, Hoyt founded Pardee Tree Nursery in San Diego County.’Operating on more than 300 acres in the San Luis Rey River Valley, it is now one of the largest nurseries in California; Pardee remained active until recently.’ As an early member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades, Pardee realized that the parish needed a location to build a new church and parish day school. In the early 1950s a partnership was organized, consisting of the church, Gifford Phillips and Pardee Construction Company.’The partnership purchased a 70-acre estate on Bienveneda Avenue, located the church and school on 30 acres and developed the balance of the property. It was Pardee Construction Company’s first venture into subdivision housing.’ ‘ Pardee was a major supporter of UCLA. He rarely missed attending a home football game, and was touched to receive the winning game ball from the 2009 Washington game from’UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel. Out of admiration for alumnus Jackie Robinson, Pardee provided the funds to construct the UCLA Jackie Robinson Baseball Stadium in 1981.’ He enjoyed spending time on the family yacht (The Par III), and on many occasions entertained family and friends on weekend trips to Catalina Island. He also looked forward to water skiing with his family every summer at Lake Tahoe for over 30 years. His other recreational passion was playing golf, an interest he developed in his mid-50s, which he enjoyed on a regular basis up to and including this current year.’ Pardee married Viorica Negrutiu in 1992 and they frequently visited Negrutiu’s homeland of Romania. They funded the Caring For Life Orphanage in Arad, Romania.’ He is survived by his wife, Viorica; his children Douglas, Wesley and David; four grandchildren, Matt, Katie, Alison and Luke; and his brother J. Douglas. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary Alice and George Sr.; his first wife, Carol; his sister Marjorie and brother George.’ One of Pardee’s favorite statements was ‘One of a kind!’ and he will be remembered as an amazing one-of-a-kind man.’ A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 28, at 10 a.m., at St. Matthew’s Church. Donations can be made to the Salk Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research, P.O. Box 85800, San Diego, CA 92186-5800.’
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