Longtime Malibu resident, Pepperdine benefactor Dorothy Stotsenberg dies at 97

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Dorothy Stotsenberg, a longtime Malibu resident and major benefactor to Pepperdine University, died at the age of 97 on Feb. 24.

Memorial services will take place March 23 at Pepperdine University.

By Carly Erickson / The Malibu Times

Longtime Malibu resident Dorothy Stotsenberg, who, with her husband Edward, was a major Pepperdine University benefactor, died Feb. 24. She was 97.

Stotsenberg had been a fixture in the community since her arrival in 1949. She and her late husband Edward, who died in 2000, were generous supporters of Pepperdine University. For many of the Stotsenbergs’ interests, there are corresponding programs or elements at Pepperdine reflect them.

As devoted runners, the Stotsenbergs donated the appropriate funds to create an all-weather track at the university. The university has also hosted 5K and 10K races in the couple’s name, along with the Stotsenberg International Guitar Competition and the Stotsenberg Recital Series at the Center for the Arts. A journalism scholarship is also available in Dorothy’s name, who received her master’s degree in journalism from UCLA.

Stotsenberg was well known in Malibu for her writing. She regularly wrote articles for The Malibu Times, the Malibu Surfside News and the Santa Monica Evening Outlook. In 2005, Stotsenberg published her book, a combination of local and personal history, “My Fifty Years in Malibu.” In her book, Stotsenberg chronicled the area’s first beginnings and inhabitants, using information from Southern California museum archives. In addition to local history, Stotsenberg included her personal stories of Malibu as well, many inspired by articles she had written for local newspapers.

Stotsenberg was born in Wisconsin in 1914 and moved to California with her family when she was eight. She studied journalism at the University of Washington in Seattle.

After graduating, Stotsenberg moved to Yakima, Wash. where she met and married Edward G. Stotsenberg, who was an accountant. The couple lived in Seattle before relocating to Boston where Edward received his MBA from Harvard University. The couple then moved to the West Coast, first to Los Angeles before settling in Malibu in 1949.

Stotsenberg was known for exclaiming at 91, “You have to keep moving; you just can’t just sit around!”

Her adventurous attitude led her to a number of hobbies. She and Edward were avid runners, participating in marathons from Santa Barbara to New Zealand. Stotsenberg also raised award-winning American saddle bred horses. She devoted much of her time to the arts, philanthropy and community organizations. In terms of careers, she worked as a writer, editor and publicist.

“Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Dorothy Stotsenberg experienced the fullness of her grace and kindness,” Andrew K. Benton, president of Pepperdine University, said. “Her enthusiasm for life inspired others to extend their reach toward their own ambitious goals, none the least of whom were Pepperdine students, faculty and staff. The impact of her generous support for this university will be remembered, and while we will surely miss her radiant smile and piercing blue eyes, we have been blessed to call her our friend.”

A memorial service will take place March 23 at Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Church Expansion Fund, 28211 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.