Katherine B. Loker

1915 - 2008

Loker, Katherine B.
1915 - 2008

Renowned Philanthropist

Katherine B. Loker, philanthropist to higher education, healthcare, science and the arts died on June 26.

Katherine Bogdanovich Loker grew up in San Pedro, California, one of seven children of Antoinette and Martin J. Bogdanovich who had immigrated from Yugoslavia to the U.S. in 1908. Her father was the captain of his own fishing boat, and by 1917, he founded a cannery called the French Sardine Company. Over the years, it grew rapidly and in 1953 became StarKist Foods.

Mrs. Loker attended the University of Southern California where she earned a degree in English. After graduating, she married Donald P. Loker, a successful stage and screen actor who eventually became vice president of StarKist Foods.

In partnership with her late husband, Mrs. Loker became a prominent philanthropic supporter of higher education, medical care for the under-served, scientific research and the arts. She has been a driving force behind the successful programs at several institutions, including the University of Southern California; Harvard University; California State University, Dominguez Hills; the Richard Nixon Library; the California Science Center and the Donald P. Loker Cancer Center at California Hospital Medical Center.

Mrs. Loker is recognized among the top five individual benefactors in the history of USC. She and Mr. Loker have given generously to the university. Her support of The Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute has helped it to become the world's leading research center in the field. The Lokers were the principal contributors to the establishment of the Institute in 1977 and they endowed a chair for Dr. George A. Olah, whose groundbreaking research earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1994. As an undergraduate at USC, Mrs. Loker was active in sports, particularly track and field. She funded the Track and Field Stadium, which is named in her honor.

Mrs. Loker has extended her support of higher education to other institutions, including Harvard University, her late husband's alma mater. She was on the Executive Committee of University Resources and was active in the campaign as a co-chair. She funded an endowed chair in the English Department and her gift to Harvard's Memorial Hall created the Loker Commons, an everyday gathering place for Harvard students and faculty. In 1988, she contributed significantly towards the renovation of the historic Widener Library built in 1915. In recognition of her service to the university, she received the Harvard Medal in 1995 and an honorary degree in 2000.

Students at California State University, Dominguez Hills, are also beneficiaries of Mrs. Loker's generosity. An honorary life member of the Foundation Board of Directors, she helped fund the expansion of the Student Union which now bears her name, and with her gift, she established the Loker Scholarship fund to help financially challenged students reach their educational goals. In addition she funded the Katherine B. Loker Administrative Building for the California Academy of Mathematics on the campus. Mrs. Loker received an honorary degree from the university in 1999.

Beyond the university setting, Mrs. Loker has supported other institutions of research and learning, including the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, where she was a Cabinet Member and a member of the Executive Board. In February 2003, she made a lead gift toward the first expansion in the facility's 13-year history, a replication of the East Wing of the White House.

Mrs. Loker also served as a trustee and member of the Foundation Board of the California Science Center. The Center's Donald P. Loker Conference Room was named in honor of her late husband. Next to the California Science Center is the Rose Garden in Exposition Park, where the Katherine Loker Rose can be found. At California Hospital Medical Center, patients have access to health education, screening and treatment through the services of the Donald P. Loker Cancer Center. The Cancer Center has been a pioneer in radiation therapy and cancer treatment since 1982 and was named after Donald P. Loker. Mr. Loker first became involved at CHMC as a board member and president of the Southern California Cancer Center. Mrs. Loker served as a hospital volunteer and remained a lifetime member of the Auxiliary of CHMC. Katherine Loker spearheaded the development of the Katherine B. Loker Woman's Health Center, a state of the art health center which breaks ground in November of this year.

Mrs. Loker's other volunteer activities include being a founding member of the Los Angeles Music Center, a member of the Palos Verdes Les Amies and the Newport Caramigas of the National Charity League.

She was a member of the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C., and the Marine Memorial in San Francisco.

Mrs. Loker is survived by her daughters, Deborah and Katherine; her sister, Nina; six grandchildren, one great grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Katherine B. Loker Woman's Health Center at the California Hospital Foundation, 1401 S. Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90015. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, July 3, 2008 10:30 a.m. at Mary Star of the Sea Church, followed by entombment at Green Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Wednesday, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at