We are deeply sad to announce that Mr. Harry Huge, Estonian Honorary Consul in South Carolina, has passed away.
Mr. Huge, born in 1937, was an attorney, philanthropist and venture capitalist in South Carolina, Charleston. Mr. Huge received his BA from Nebraska Wesleyan University (1959) and his Doctor of Law degree from Georgetown University Law School (1963). Huge was awarded an honorary degree by his alma mater – Nebraska Wesleyan University – in 2005, and the College of Charleston in 2017.
Harry Huge´s work for Estonia started in the late 1980s, when after visiting the then-occupied country, he decided to devote his energy in the cause for freedom. On the eve of Estonia’s restoration of independence, from 1990 to 1991, he represented Estonia’s interests in Washington, for which he was awarded with the Medal of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana in 2006.
In November of 2010, Mr Huge was named an Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia for the state of South Carolina.
As a leader and a visionary, Mr Huge always focused on the future. Under his leadership, the Harry and Reba Huge Foundation became instrumental in forging educational cooperation, as well as economic cooperation, between Estonia and South Carolina. For over a decade the Harry and Reba Foundation invested in the brightest minds and entrepreneurial projects through their generous support. Thus, Harry Huge helped shape the futures of numerous students and entrepreneurs. To honour his contributions, the University of Tartu nominated Harry Huge as an Honorary Fellow.
Estonia was privileged to have Harry Huge represent us as an honorary consul, and we – the Estonian diplomats working at the Embassy and Consulate General – were blessed to have known him as a friend. His energy and positiveness inspired us, and we will miss him profoundly. We offer our deepest condolences to Harry Huge´s family.