Dennis Avery dies at 71; heir to label fortune, philanthropist

Dennis Avery, whose father founded Avery Dennison Corp., funded endeavors across the globe and a sculpture garden of prehistoric creatures in the desert northeast of San Diego.

July 27, 2012|Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

Dennis Avery, who used his share of a family fortune to fund philanthropic ventures around the world and to commission artistic replicas of prehistoric creatures for a quirky sculpture garden in the desert of Borrego Springs, has died. He was 71.

Avery died Monday at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. No cause of death was given.

Avery was an heir to the fortune from the Avery Dennison Corp., which launched what is considered the first commercially viable marketing of self-sticking, peel-off labels, the kind of supplies now considered essential for offices, schools and home use.


His father, R. Stanton Avery, a classic rags-to-riches American success story, founded the business in 1935 after borrowing $100 to build a label-making machine out of spare parts. At his death at age 90 in 1997, his Pasadena-based company, which had merged in 1990 with Dennison Manufacturing of Framingham, Mass., had 16,000 employees and annual sales of $3.2 billion.

Dennis Avery was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, 1940. After graduating from Cambridge University in England, he received a law degree from California Western School of Law in San Diego, where he served as associate dean in the 1980s.

In the 1970s he worked for the San Diego city attorney's office and was one of its first consumer fraud attorneys. Colleagues remember him as passionate about protecting consumers and not interested in just living off his inherited wealth.

"He loved the law and his Harley Davidson motorcycle," said John Kaheny, who also worked in the office.

Avery and his wife lived for years in Borrego Springs, drawn by the open space and small-town atmosphere of the community 90 miles from San Diego. With his father's eye for a good deal, Avery bought land when prices plummeted because of the savings-and-loan debacle of the 1980s and '90s.

Although he opted not to follow his father into the business world, he followed his example of using wealth for educational, artistic and other public causes.

His father was a patron of what might be called the artistic establishment of Southern California: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Huntington Library art collections and the Performing Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Music Center, among others.

The son's artistic interest leaned more toward the offbeat and populist. The artwork he bought and commissioned was not to be found in museums but in the open air of what he called the Galleta Meadows Estate in Borrego Springs.

Avery commissioned artist Ricardo Breceda of Perris to create metal sculptures of dinosaurs and other creatures, many from species that had once roamed Borrego Springs and other parts of Southern California: mammoths, wild horses, giant sloths, camels, birds of prey and saber-tooth tigers, among others. There are more than 120 sculptures in all.

Since he owned property throughout Borrego Springs, the sculptures dotted the landscape from nearly every angle. They quickly became a tourist attraction, much to Avery's delight.

Although he was a serious student of prehistory, he shrugged off criticism that some of the creatures did not seem to conform to what scientists think they looked like. To Avery, art should be both educational and fun. He sometimes delighted visitors to the sculpture garden by giving his rendition of the sounds made by prehistoric animals.

"I'm old," he jokingly told the Press-Enterprise of Riverside in 2008. "I've had a long life; I see these old animals and I feel young compared to them."

One project that he commissioned with Breceda had a subtle social message: a representation of a dozen farmworkers from the early days when much of Borrego Springs was given over to a vineyard. To tourists and second-home owners flocking to the desert for fun and relaxation, the sculptures were a reminder that to some people the desert represented a life of toil in the blazing sun.

The face of Borrego Springs shows the expanse of Avery's philanthropy and his interest in youth sports: a baseball park, lights for the football field, a skate park. He also supported Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Many of his bequests were never acknowledged, and the extent of his giving is open to estimation.

Internationally, Avery funded an AIDS clinic in China, a drug rehabilitation center in Hong Kong and a library in Honduras. In San Diego, Avery and his wife, Sally Tsui Wong-Avery, were backers of a Chinese bilingual school, donating $6 million at one point.

Besides his wife, Avery is survived by his children Halina, Chris, Sara and Theodore; stepdaughter Natasha Wong; brother Russell Durfee Avery; and sister Judith Avery.

source: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/27/local/la-me-dennis-avery-20120727

Dennis Avery, who funded a variety of endeavors, from prehistoric statues to Stephen Hawking’s cosmology center, was most at home in the Chinese community of San Diego, touching thousands of lives through his philanthropic efforts.
Acknowledging his contributions to the Chinese and other Asian communities in San Diego, the Asian Heritage Society will bestow the Diversity Pioneer Award posthumously to Avery during the Tenth Annual Asian Heritage Awards Gala Sept. 14, 2013 at the San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina, 333 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego. Avery passed away at the age of 71 in 2012.
The event will also honor UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla with the Special Recognition Award and 12 others in categories ranging from entrepreneurship to military service.
“Many people, organizations and communities would agree that Dennis Avery touched our lives in many forms while he lived -- as role model, coach, mentor and supporter. Many times we fail to appreciate individuals such as Dennis while they are alive because we think they will be with us forever. While Dennis has passed on, this award is our way of keeping his legacy alive,” said Rosalynn Carmen, president of the Asian Heritage Society.
Past Diversity Pioneer Award winners have included Dr. Robert Gish of UCSD, for his work to curtail hepatitis b in Asia; Rear Admiral Ron McLaren, for campaigning to increase the number of Asian Americans in upper echelon ranks of the Navy, and the Habitat for Humanity, for its homebuilding efforts in Southeast Asia.
Avery’s father, R. Stanton Avery, founded the family label-making business in 1935. By the turn of the century, the business had 16,000 employees and $3.2 billion in sales.
Dennis, however, took another turn, earning a master’s in law from Cambridge University and working in the San Diego City Attorney’s office as a consumer fraud attorney. In the 1980s , while serving as associate dean at Cal Western School of Law in San Diego, he met a law student who was to become his wife and partner in a wide variety of community work for the rest of his life.
Together, Dennis and Sally Wong-Avery served in the board of a select number of individuals to travel to China in the early 1980s as part of a first if its kind program called “China Adventure.” Together, they also established the first fully licensed bilingual preschool in San Diego.
“It was a long time dream” of her mother, said Natasha Wong. “Dennis loved children and believed in her dream to educate and teach Chinese language and culture,” she added.
“He did whatever he could to help us make one community out of several. He would do anything you wanted,” said Jack Fu, a commissioner representing the Taiwanese government in San Diego. “People from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan – they don’t have any differences when they are with him.”
Avery also belonged to the Chinese Community Church in Tierrasanta, where, in 2006, he led the fundraising effort to move the church from East San Diego. And when the church needed a new piano, he paid for it out of his own pocket. “He never asked anything in return,” said Tom Hom. “He was just a wonderful supporter. He always gave.”
“That he was a generous man – that is well known,” said the Rev. Phil Noordmans, pastor of the church. “He also had an eye for quality and invested wisely in projects that were of value.”
One of his most precious gifts to the community, which he loved talking about, was the 10,400-square-foot Chinese Bilingual Preschool in Kearny Mesa, which opened in March of 2011 with playground, day care and eight classrooms, to match the growing interest in Mandarin and Chinese culture. His wife Sally remains the principal. At the time, after investing $6 million in the school, he said, “We’ll never get it back. It’s not intended to make us rich. It just seems like a really good thing to do.”
He “always tried to better the community,” said House of China President David Seid. “Not only the Chinese community, but clean water, AIDS in Africa – he really had a lot of interests.”
Avery was known to fund ideas, grandiose and small. Years ago, when property there was literally dirt cheap, he bought some 3,000 acres of undeveloped land in Borrego Springs to keep it from being developed and called it Galleta Meadows, which later became the site of dozens of giant sculptures of the prehistoric animals that once roamed the area. The site has since become a renowned tourist attraction.
In 1999, while visiting Stephen Hawking at the University of Cambridge in England, he listened as the world-renowned astronomer shared his concept of a “Newton’s Nest,” where the next Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein might emerge. He liked the idea so much that he and wife Sally wife put up the initial funding for the project. The Centre for Theoretical Cosmology is now a permanent part of Cambridge.
In the last ten years, the Asian Heritage Society’s Asian Heritage Awards has become the premiere event of its kind for Southern California’s Asian community and has been called “the most festive and lavish social event for the Asian Pacific Islander community.” The event has been recognized by the U.S. Congress, the City and County of San Diego and twice cited for its public service by the San Diego Press Club, one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country.

source: http://www.asianheritageawards.com/dennis-avery.html

Alumnus, philanthropist, and former Associate Dean Dennis S. Avery '70 passed away on July 23, 2012

Philanthropist Dennis Avery, a hero of Borrego Springs and the Chinese-American community of San Diego, died July 23, 2012, surrounded by family and friends. He was 71.

Dennis, heir to the Avery Dennison label fortune but a self-made success on his own, used his money for scores of charitable causes, often giving anonymously worldwide. In Borrego Springs he bought 3,000 acres in the early 1990s to keep it from ever being developed. He called the land Galleta Meadows Estate and opened it to the public. Among the many things he gave to Borrego Springs were the football field lights, a Little League park, the Boys and Girls Club skatepark, and the Ocotillos that line the main street in town. But most of his charitable giving was done quietly, often anonymously. He offered financial support to clinics and foundations worldwide.

Sally Tsui Wong-Avery said her husband supported AIDS clinics in China, a library in Honduras, and a drug rehabilitation center in Hong Kong among many charitable causes. She said he put dozens of people through college and he did it all without ever seeking the limelight or congratulations.

Dennis was born October 23, 1940 in Los Angeles. He spent many years living in Borrego Springs where he raised his children. He was a retired attorney and graduate of Trinity Hall at the University of Cambridge, to which he also substantially donated over the years. He worked for the San Diego City Attorney's Office in the 1970s, was an associate dean at Cal Western School of Law in the 1980s, where he also earned his law degree.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Sally Tsui Wong-Avery; four children, Halina, Chris, Sara, and Theodore Avery; stepdaughter Natasha Wong; brother Russell Avery (SPHS '60) and sister Judith Avery (SPHS '54); and one granddaughter.

San Diego Union-Tribune, July 24, 2012

source: http://www.sphsaa.org/class_profile.cfm?member_id=1590696

Sally Tsui Wong Avery and husband Dennis S Avery.

(l-r) Dennis Avery, Julian Revie, Sally Wong-Avery and Stephen Hawking in 2005

CTC remembers Dennis Avery, 1940 - 2012
Dennis Avery, born in Los Angeles on 23 October 1940, died aged 71 on 23 July 2012 at Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, surround by family and friends. A founding supporter of the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology, he was born to R. Stanton Avery, founder of the now Avery Dennison Corporation. He devoted his life to philanthropy.
Married to Sally Tsui Wong-Avery, a fellow lawyer and Chinese court interpreter, he supported charitable causes worldwide, often anonymously. The Averys gave to AIDS clinics and language schools in China, a library in Honduras, and a rehabilitation centre in Hong Kong, amongst other projects.
Dennis was also active within his local community in San Diego. Dennis and Sally donated $6 million to The Chinese Bilingual Preschool in Kearny Mesa last year. Dennis provided the community of Borrego Springs with a Little League park. For the same community he purchased and subsequently opened to the public 3,000 acres of land previously scheduled for development. He later commissioned an artist to build 130 metal sculptures of prehistoric and fantastical creatures on the land for everyone's enjoyment.
Dennis first met Stephen Hawking when they both attended an event held at the White House in March 1998 and they became close friends. Dennis had first heard of Stephen from his father, Stanton Avery, who was Chair of the Board of Directors at the California Institute of Technology, where Stephen often visited.
Dennis and Sally's significant support for Stephen and the University of Cambridge led to the foundation of the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology. They were awarded the Chancellor's 800th Anniversary Medal for Outstanding Philanthropy by the University at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. They represented the Vice-Chancellor at the installation of Elsa Murano as President of Texas A&M University in 2008. Dennis and Sally were Stephen's honoured guests when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in 2009.
Dennis studied at the University of Cambridge, where he was a member of Trinity Hall. He once remarked "into Trinity Hall I plopped, the brilliant and never regretted choice again, through random selection. And only later did I learn the then not yet globally celebrated Prof. Hawking had barely come to Cambridge himself". Trinity Hall later appointed him the rare distinction of Honorary Fellow. After leaving university, he went to work for the British Rail Transport Organization in West Berlin. He then worked for the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, heading the City Attorney Consumer Protection Unit, before being appointed an associate dean at the California Western School of Law, also in San Diego, in the 1980s. He was a member the California, Colorado and Washington DC bars and held graduate degrees in Law and Business.
He is survived by his wife, five children, and one grandchild. A memorial service was held at All Saint's Church in Hillcrest, San Diego, on 4 August.
Stephen Hawking gave a eulogy in absentia, represented by his son, Robert Hawking, which can be listened to here. Stephen was booked to fly out to attend the funeral but, unfortunately, had to cancel just beforehand. Paul Shellard, Director of CTC, said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a good friend and a generous benefactor. Dennis began supporting Stephen Hawking's work and legacy here in Cambridge back in 1998 and he was instrumental in founding the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology; we were so pleased that he could attend the CTC launch in 2007. We were privileged indeed for so long to be able to make common cause with Dennis, endeavouring to push back the frontiers of cosmology. He will be greatly missed."

source: http://www.ctc.cam.ac.uk/news/120809_newsitem.php

l-r, in front: Dennis Avery, Prince Philip, Sally Tsui Wong Avery

School photograph

Dennis Stanton Avery
October 23, 1940 - July 23, 2012

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Dennis Avery always put others needs and wants first.

A man who loved his family, travel, athletics and adventure, Dennis often recounted stories of his childhood. His parents, R. Stanton and Dorothy Avery, were very busy growing their label company, Avery Dennison. However, their spontaneous family trips left lasting impressions on Dennis. Throughout his life he continued to travel the world and even lived in Germany in his 20s.

Dennis was a highly educated man. He attended Monrovia Duarte High School where he played varsity basketball. He earned his BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He received his JD from Cal Western School of Law, his LLB from Trinity Hall at Cambridge University, and his MBA from Pepperdine University. He would continue his connections to his schools, making generous donations to Cal Western and Cambridge.

His love for adventure led him to learn to fly at the age of 15. For the earlier part of his life, he enjoyed surfing, riding his motorcycle, running half marathons, and building Ham radios. He continued to travel the world in the latter part of his life, but he always remembered to correspond with those he cared about and express gratitude to those who helped him along the way in his life.

His professional life was also varied. He worked in West Berlin on the British Railway. He had a contractor and real estate license, working in home building. He was the Chief of the San Diego City Attorney’s Consumer Fraud Division. He served as the Dean of Students at Cal Western School of Law in the 1980s. He also served on numerous boards of non-profit organizations, including the Avery Dennison Board of Directors.

Everyone who knew him recounts stories of how he loved to perform magic tricks for children and that he had a great sense of humor. No matter who you were, he always made one feel as if you were the most important person to him. His smile and presence would light up a room. He was also generous, donating time and money to causes and organizations locally in San Diego, Borrego, and internationally. He was a great friend to the San Diego Chinese community, volunteering his time to Chinese community events and providing money to many Chinese community organizations. In Borrego, he helped build a skate park and most notably erected the metal animals throughout his land he called Galleta Meadows. Internationally, some of his donations included support for AIDs orphanages in South Africa, a library for a town in Honduras, clean drinking water for villages in South America, and helping send hundreds of wheelchairs for the disabled and training midwives in remote villages in Tibet.

Dennis passed away in Sharp Memorial Hospital from cardiac arrest and multiple organ failure. He was surrounded by his wife, children, and other family and friends.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Sally; siblings, Judy and Russell; children, Halina, Christopher, Sara, and Theodore; step daughter, Natasha; and two grandchildren, Halina and Kyler.

The funeral service is scheduled to be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 4th at All Saints Episcopal Church, where Dennis was a longtime member. The service is not open to the general public and is reserved for family and close friends. Relatives and close friends are invited to attend a viewing and prayer service at the church from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 3rd.

Donations may be made to Chinese Service Center of San Diego or to the Chinese School of San Diego. Please mail donations to 5075 Ruffin Road, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92123.

Sally Tsui Wong Avery - wife of Dennis Avery.

Dennis' parents: Ray Stanton Avery and Dorothy Louise Durfee

Sally's Tombstone.