Russell K. Pitzer
Encyclopedia
Russell K. Pitzer an American
orange
grower, was the founder of Pitzer College
in Claremont, California
, an early benefactor of the Pomona Valley Community Hospital (now the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
) in Pomona
, and a noted philanthropist of other local causes in the Pomona Valley
.
Russell Kelly Pitzer was born in Mills County, Iowa
, the youngest of four children of Samuel Collins Pitzer and Alice Kelly Pitzer. The family moved to Brown County, Nebraska
and Boulder, Colorado
, before settling in Pomona, California. He attended Pomona College
in Claremont, California, graduating in the class of 1900. He then attended Hastings Law School in San Francisco, a unit of the University of California, Berkeley
. Upon receiving his law degree in 1903, he returned to Pomona and joined a law firm in Pomona and later serving a term as City Attorney in Claremont. In 1912 he purchased an orange grove
, soon developed a successful business as the owner of many citrus groves, and reduced his activity as a lawyer. He also became a principal in the Pomona Valley Telephone and Telegraph Union and the Home Builders Savings and Loan Association.
As he acquired the resources to be a public benefactor, he became active in supporting Pomona Valley Community Hospital and the Claremont Colleges
, participating in the founding of Claremont Men's College, now Claremont McKenna College
and Harvey Mudd College
. In 1963 he took the lead in founding Pitzer College, and accordingly, Pitzer College chose the orange tree as its symbol
.
In 1903 he married Flora Sanborn, and they had one child, Kenneth S. Pitzer in 1914. Flora S. Pitzer died in 1927 and he subsequently married Ina Scott.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
orange
Orange (fruit)
An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus Citrus × sinensis and its fruit. It is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world....
grower, was the founder of Pitzer College
Pitzer College
Pitzer College is a private residential liberal arts college located in Claremont, California, a college town approximately east of downtown Los Angeles. Pitzer College is one of the Claremont Colleges....
in Claremont, California
Claremont, California
Claremont is a small affluent college town in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States, about east of downtown Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. The population as of the 2010 census is 34,926. Claremont is known for its seven higher-education institutions, its...
, an early benefactor of the Pomona Valley Community Hospital (now the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a 446-bed acute care, not-for-profit, teaching hospital in Pomona, California.Founded in 1903, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit facility, the Hospital’s services include Centers of Excellence in oncology,...
) in Pomona
Pomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
, and a noted philanthropist of other local causes in the Pomona Valley
Pomona Valley
The Pomona Valley, located between the San Gabriel Valley and Cucamonga Valley in Southern California, straddles the border between Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County. Back on March 1, 1893 the California Assembly voted 54-14 for a new county to form in the region, San Antonio County,...
.
Russell Kelly Pitzer was born in Mills County, Iowa
Mills County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,059 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,109 housing units, of which 5,605 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, the youngest of four children of Samuel Collins Pitzer and Alice Kelly Pitzer. The family moved to Brown County, Nebraska
Brown County, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 3,525 people, 1,530 households, and 996 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,916 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
and Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
, before settling in Pomona, California. He attended Pomona College
Pomona College
Pomona College is a private, residential, liberal arts college in Claremont, California. Founded in 1887 in Pomona, California by a group of Congregationalists, the college moved to Claremont in 1889 to the site of a hotel, retaining its name. The school enrolls 1,548 students.The founding member...
in Claremont, California, graduating in the class of 1900. He then attended Hastings Law School in San Francisco, a unit of the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Upon receiving his law degree in 1903, he returned to Pomona and joined a law firm in Pomona and later serving a term as City Attorney in Claremont. In 1912 he purchased an orange grove
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
, soon developed a successful business as the owner of many citrus groves, and reduced his activity as a lawyer. He also became a principal in the Pomona Valley Telephone and Telegraph Union and the Home Builders Savings and Loan Association.
As he acquired the resources to be a public benefactor, he became active in supporting Pomona Valley Community Hospital and the Claremont Colleges
Claremont Colleges
The Claremont Colleges are a prestigious American consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate schools of higher education located in Claremont, California, a city east of downtown Los Angeles...
, participating in the founding of Claremont Men's College, now Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college and a member of the Claremont Colleges located in Claremont, California. The campus is located east of Downtown Los Angeles...
and Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College is a private residential liberal arts college of science, engineering, and mathematics, located in Claremont, California. It is one of the institutions of the contiguous Claremont Colleges, which share adjoining campus grounds....
. In 1963 he took the lead in founding Pitzer College, and accordingly, Pitzer College chose the orange tree as its symbol
Symbol
A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. For example, a red octagon may be a symbol for "STOP". On a map, a picture of a tent might represent a campsite. Numerals are symbols for...
.
In 1903 he married Flora Sanborn, and they had one child, Kenneth S. Pitzer in 1914. Flora S. Pitzer died in 1927 and he subsequently married Ina Scott.
See also
- Kenneth S. Pitzer, his son, a notable scientist and academic
- Russell M. PitzerRussell M. PitzerRussell Mosher Pitzer is an American theoretical chemist and educator.He was born on May 10, 1938, in Berkeley, California and attended public schools in this and the Washington, DC area....
, his grandson, a notable scientist and academic - Kenneth R pitzer , his great grandson a noteable Vet. and academic