Herbert Hezlep III

Herbert, better known as Herb, was born July 9, 1927, in Pittsburgh PA. At aged 9 he moved with his parents from Pittsburgh to Pasadena Calif. where he attended Marshall Junior High, then Pasadena Junior College which was a 4-year school then (2 years of high school, 2 years of college) from which he graduated. Having attended the first two years of college at PJC, and after a brief career in the U.S, Navy as Postman, charged with processing others out at the end of WW2, he then transferred to the University of California at Berkeley for the last two years of college, majoring in Business Administration. He joined Acme Appliance Manufacturing Company, a business started by his late father Herbert Hezlep Jr. in Pasadena (on Green Street) which initially sold water heaters. Later it became Acme General, manufacturing indoor track and hangers for sliding wardrobe doors, in Monrovia. He rose to become president of the company and led Acme General with great success until his retirement as chairman after it was sold in 1989 to The Stanley Works. His main interests outside of business included Rotary International, the Huntington Medical Research Institute in Pasadena, Yellowstone National Park, but especially travel. He and Liz spent many months cruising aboard ships of the Royal Viking Line and Crystal Cruises, starting in 1987. They circumnavigated the globe at least 3 times in the years that followed. In 2004 and 2009 Herb continued cruising without Liz (who had taken a job with a local newspaper) which he shared with his children. He joined Monrovia Rotary Club in 1958 and in the 1960's became its president. He took an active interest in supporting the Rotary Foundation and was selected by then District 530 Governor John Clay to organize the District's participation in Rotary InternationaI Foundation's initial Group Study Exchange program, an assignment which led to a life-long love of everything Australian. The initial exchange was between District 530 in So. California and District 945 in Western Australia. For a time he even thought of expanding the business by establishing a branch there. He and his wife, Liz, traveled numerous times to Western Australia, hosted many Australians coming to So. Calif, and made many life-long friends as a result. His influence on the original GSE team from Western Australia was such that they have held reunions for many years. Fortunately he was able to attend in person the 47th one . His interest in Yellowstone began while attending PCC. Over three summers he worked at the Yellowstone Hotel as a bell hop, carrying guests' luggage to and from their accommodations. Because of his interest in boats later in life, he funded a small boat used for patrolling Lake Yellowstone and occasional fishing by the staff. He became involved with the Huntington Medical Research Institute (HMRI) through his strong friendship with founder Bill Opel. Because of his strong financial background Herb was asked to serve on the board of HMRI for several years as treasurer. He became financial advisor to the board of the Pasadena City College Foundation. Active in the life of Pasadena Presbyterian Church, he served as Elder, member of Session, treasurer, and president of the Board of Trustees for 2 terms. He was a life long supporter of the Santa Anita Family YMCA and honored as their Man of the Year in 2019. He was also a longtime member of the University Club in Pasadena. Herb passed away on Saturday Dec. 11, 2021 and was married for 65 years to Liz Chilcott Hezlep. He is survived by Liz, four children: Douglas Edward Hezlep, Nancy Hezlep Belinsky, Carolyn Hezlep Van Orden, Barbara Hezlep Hagen; four grandchildren: Christine Van Orden, Kathleen Van Orden, Scott Belinsky, Becky Belinsky; two greatgrandchildren: Julian Martinez, Myra and several cousins. Visitation will be Monday Dec. 20, 2021, from 9:00 am to 12:00pm at Cabot & Sons in Pasadena. A Memorial Service is planned for January 8, 2022, at 11:00 am at Pasadena Presbyterian Church