Lionel Van Deerlin, RIP
Posted by: Barry Jantz | 05/17/2008 8:50 PM
A partisan political opponent, perhaps, but definitely a noble adversary.
The news reports indicate former Congressman Van Deerlin had a heart attack on March 1 and was receiving home hospice care. That didn't keep him from getting out of bed only two weekends ago to come to La Mesa and pay a memorial tribute to his longtime friend, Dr. Jack Hardebeck, who also recently passed away. From the good humor and stories he shared at Harry Griffen Park that day, few were the wiser that he himself had only a few days remaining.
I won't miss reading his skewering of Republicans in the Union-Trib. I will miss his presence and his wit. The U-T report:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/obituaries/20080517-9999-bn17van.html
Van was one of those rare politicians whose life in the lime light was never tarnished by scandal or corruption.
Even if you disagreed with his opinions, his humility and sense of humor made it impossible to hate the man,
You will be missed.
One of the few civil servants who truly believed the only noble motive was the public good. So long, Van ...