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Diana and Charles Minning A history of helping others
Diana and Charles Minning
A history of helping others.
Diana and Charles (Chuck) Minning have a long association with Huntington Hospital, including many years of providing generous philanthropic support. The Minnings’ thoughtful outright gifts have qualified them for membership in our President’s Circle. In addition, they are members of our Legacy Gift Society, which recognizes foresighted community friends who have chosen to support our work beyond their own lifetimes, through a bequest or other planned gift. Much of the couple’s support has been given without restriction — meaning it can be used wherever the need is greatest. In addition, they have provided funds toward areas of special interest, including our cardiac rehabilitation services.
Chuck was born at the hospital and both he and Diana grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. About three decades ago, Chuck started seeing a primary care physician who is on staff at the hospital. The Minnings note that Chuck has also benefited from our cardiac rehabilitation program. Their donations to this area of our work have helped ensure that other patients can receive high-quality rehabilitation while recovering from a serious cardiac event, coronary artery disease or cardiothoracic surgical procedure.
The rehabilitation program — including physician-supervised exercise, as well as
nutrition and lifestyle counseling from our experts — helps patients improve their heart health and reduces risk for future cardiac problems. Gifts from community members like the Minnings help pay for equipment and services that, while important to patients, are not covered by insurance reimbursements.
Successful careers.
Chuck Minning grew up in San Marino and attended San Marino High School. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and at the University of California, Los Angeles, ultimately earning a doctorate in his field from the former school. He then joined Hughes Aircraft Company, where he worked as a senior scientist in the research and development department. Leaving Hughes in 1997, he moved to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where he worked as a senior scientist until retiring in 2010.
Diana’s family moved to San Marino when she was 5. She also graduated from San Marino High School, before majoring in fashion at Pasadena City College. She became a model, working on a number of print and television advertising jobs and “traveling to wonderful places,” she notes. Though she has recently enjoyed an opportunity to do additional modeling, she nonetheless considers herself retired. “I’m enjoying life,” Diana says, “and trying to make other peoples’ lives better at the same time.”
Enthusiastic involvement.
In retirement, both the Minnings have more free time to pursue their hobbies. Chuck is an avid book collector, with special interests in the American West and the Civil War era. He is a member of The Zamorano Club — which sponsors lectures and publications on topics of interest to bibliophiles and manuscript collectors — and also remains involved in various professional organizations in the field of engineering. Diana is an enthusiastic antiquer. She is also passionate about art and loves working on interior design and decoration.
The Minnings have an affinity for traveling — with destinations often related to Chuck’s interest in American history. As President’s Circle members, they also enjoy the opportunity to attend a variety of exclusive hospital-sponsored events. “It’s a great group of people,” says Diana, “and there’s always an interesting topic to learn about.”
The Minnings’ President’s Circle-level support for our work was influenced by many factors, they note. In particular, they point to the outstanding care that Diana’s mother received here — care that Diana rates as “a ten out of ten. Everyone at the hospital is wonderful,” she continues, “from the minute you step through the doors to the minute you leave.”
