HAROLD A. HELD

Harold A. Held, 87, husband of Louise Held, of blessed memory,  the proud father of Joseph and Robert Held and Melissa Bordy; the adored grandfather of Rebecca, Eric, Matthew and Alayna Held, Shayna, Jenna and Samantha Bordy; and loving companion of Charlotte Rosenberg, died Wednesday morning after saying farewell to his family. 

Widely known as a prominent real estate developer and philanthropist for more than 60 years, Mr. Held was first and foremost a devoted family man, whose love, wisdom and guidance will continue to inspire his loved ones.   

Born in Cleveland on February 16, 1920, Mr. Held graduated with an engineering degree from Ohio State University, and began his career designing airplane propellers for the military. He served as a naval officer in the North Atlantic during World War II.  After the war, he moved to California and entered the real estate business. He met Louise, his wife, through a friend and fell in love at first sight. They were married in 1946 and continued their love affair until her death in 2001. Harold felt very fortunate that after Louise’s death he was able to share many happy, loving years with Charlotte Rosenberg.

Mr. Held began his real estate career in the Adams district of Los Angeles and soon after shifted his projects to the Westside. He expanded his business of home construction into apartments, and later, commercial buildings and medical offices. As a licensed real estate broker, general contractor and construction manager, he became one of the largest developers on the Westside.

Since 1946, Mr. Held left an enduring mark on the Los Angeles skyline, developing and managing over 2.5 million square feet of the best-known and highest-quality office and medical office buildings in the city including Westwood Place, 1880 Century Park East, 100 UCLA Medical Center, 9777 Wilshire Boulevard and Medical Centre of Santa Monica.

In 1983, Harold, along with children created Held Properties, Inc., a real estate and development corporation.  Although he turned over the active management of the business to his children, he remained vibrant and involved as Chairman of the Board.

During his many years of community service, Mr. Held was A Board member of the United Jewish Fund; Modern & Contemporary Art Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce; Otis College of Art & Design; Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem; Jewish Home for the Aging; and Cedars- Sinai Medical Center Board of Governors.  He was also active with the City of Beverly Hills Economic Development Committee, Music Center of Los Angeles County; and University of Southern California Andrus School of Gerontology, Board of Councilors.

In his spare time, Harold enjoyed being with his family and friends, traveling, golfing, and art appreciation.

Mr. Held and the Held Foundation have generously supported many organizations that are vital to the Los Angeles community. At the behest of his late wife Louise, Mr. Held created the Louise K. Held Nursing Scholarship Fund to entice the finest graduating nurses throughout the country to join non profit Westside hospitals.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Sinai Mortuary on Friday, February 15, 2008 at noon located at 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Held Foundation, c/o Held Properties, Inc, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 500, Los Angeles, California 90067.