Dr. Hilario S. Pena

Pena, Dr. Hilario S. October 5, 1910 - July 12, 2004 Dr. Hilario Soltero Pena, 93, of Kailua-Kona, died July 12, 2004, peacefully at his home in Hawaii. Memorial Services, were held on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church in Rolling Hills Estates. Dr. H.S. Pena and his wife Estela R. Pena had been members of Rolling Hills Methodist Church prior to moving to Hawaii. Hundreds of relatives and friends attended the service to express their respect and love to a person who had given so much to others. Private burial services were held on August 2, 2004, at Forest Lawn, Glendale. Dr. Pena was born October 5, 1910, in Deming, New Mexico. He was a college professor at Pepperdine University, The University of Southern California, The University of California at Los Angeles, and Mount St. Mary's College. Dr. Pena served as Supervisor of Foreign Languages for The Los Angeles School District; he was Principal of Hollenbeck Junior High School and Roosevelt High School. He was a minister, philosopher, and accomplished author of text books. Dr. Pena was a scholar; his degrees include MA in Philosophy, MA in Education, MA in Theology, a Doctorate of Education from UCLA, and a Ph.D. from the University of Madrid. He was literate in English, Spanish, French, and Hebrew. Dr. Pena served on many community boards, and committees for The California State Department of Education, The President's White House Conference on Education, and he was Chairman of The Human Relations Council-Los Angeles City Schools. As a young educator, some of Dr. Pena's most memorable days were as a Spanish Teacher at University High School in West Los Angeles. Many life-long friendships were made with students and staff. He was an inspiration to countless numbers of young people through out his life. He loved to travel and read, and make people laugh. Above all else, Hilario Pena was a dedicated family man. Estela was his wife for sixty-six years, his strongest ally and inspiration. He is survived by his wife, Estela Pena of Kailua-Kona, daughters, Estela (Jerry) Halverson of Kailua-Kona, Nettie Pena of Los Angeles, brother Manuel (Olga) Pena of Palm Desert, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and sisters-in-law. We all will miss his great sense of humor.