CYPRESS : College Names Its Man, Woman of Year

Peter and Mary Muth have made second careers of donating money and time to charitable causes.

For their contributions over the years, Cypress College has named them its Americana 1994 Man and Woman of the Year. The Muths will receive their awards at the college’s 19th annual Americana banquet March 3.

Upon arriving in Santa Ana 47 years ago from Montana, the Muths began contributing to organizations that help people in Orange County, because they were thankful for the climate and business opportunities here.

Each year, they contribute money to more than 75 nonprofit organizations including Goodwill Industries, American Red Cross, United Way, the YMCA Hotel for homeless women, the Casa Theresa home for unwed mothers, Columbia House for the mentally disabled, Providence Speech and Hearing Center and the Food Distribution Center.

They also provide anonymous scholarships to needy students at Mater Dei High School.

Several years ago, Mary Muth, 80, established the John Weinschrott Scholarship and student loan program at Eastern Montana College in her father’s memory. Weinschrott was a Montana senator who helped found the college.

Currently, the Muths are financing a proposed $1-million interpretive center in Upper Newport Bay.

“It’s in the process of getting Coastal Commission approval,” said Peter Muth, 78. “When it’s built, people will be able to go there and learn about the history of the bay. . . . This is our big thank you to Orange County.”

Besides giving money to people and causes they believe in, the Muths serve as board members of various nonprofit organizations.

The Muths founded and own Orco Block Co. Inc., a concrete block manufacturing company in Stanton, and operate it along with sons Lynn and Rick Muth and daughter Mary Logan.

“Peter and Mary have been big philanthropists, donating a lot of money to a lot of good causes,” said Don Bedard, executive director of the Cypress College Foundation, which selected this year’s Man and Woman of the Year. “We chose them because they have made significant contributions to the county.”

The awards were first presented in 1976 in response to former President Jimmy Carter’s request that communities do something special to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. Award winners include Carl N. Karcher, founder of the Carl’s Jr. fast-food chain; Marian Knott, an owner of Knott’s Berry Farm, and Ron Dominguez, executive vice president of Disneyland.

“We’re honored we were selected,” Peter Muth said. “But we don’t like to brag. . . . We just have a feeling that you should give back to your fellow man, and that’s it. It’s just a matter of principle for my wife and myself.”

Bedard said 650 people are expected to attend the $150-per-person banquet at the Disneyland Hotel. Proceeds will provide scholarships for Cypress College students.