Richard Plowman Irwin; Co-Owner of Historic La Jolla Hotel

Richard Plowman Irwin, 80, co-owner of La Jolla’s historic La Valencia Hotel and manager of the hostelry from 1946 until his retirement in 1985. A primary goal of Irwin was to make the scenic hotel a “home away from home” for Hollywood celebrities. Among the stars for whom he provided discreet service were Greta Garbo, Ronald Colman, Lillian Gish, Norma Shearer, John Gilbert and Lon Chaney. A Cornell University graduate, Irwin began his hotel management career in 1933 and was president of the California Hotel Assn. He was also a founding member and president of the La Jolla Town Council. On May 2 in La Jolla after a long illness.