I attended the service for Bill Rosendahl on Tuesday, April 5. It was held at Saint Monica’s Church in Santa Monica. The setting was very nice, the mood upbeat.
It felt like homecoming week. I saw Dick Riordan, Zev Yaroslavsky, Antonio Villaraigosa (who gave the eulogy), Janice Hahn, Mike Feuer, Jane Harmon and Tom LaBonge in attendance.
Of course Mike Bonin was there, leading a prayer. Current City Councilmembers Herb Wesson and Paul Koretz were there, as well.
So were Jerry “Peace Activist” Rubin, Wendy-Sue Rosen, Tom Freeman and Jill Stewart, former editor at the LA Weekly.
Mayor Eric Garcetti was returning from Washington and couldn’t be there; he’ll speak at an upcoming gathering tomorrow, April 16 in Mar Vista.
I know I’m barely scratching the surface of who was there; Bill had a lot of friends. I know I considered him a friend. There was just something extremely likable about the guy.
He was also very spiritual.
I will never forget something he told me when he was first running for City Council and some were wondering if the fact he was gay might be held against him.
The exchange went something like this (I can’t quote exactly at this point):
Bill: “Do you believe in God?”
Jeff: “Yes, I do.”
Bill: “Do you believe God is perfect?”
Jeff: “I guess I do.”
Bill: “If God is perfect, then that means God doesn’t make any mistakes. If God makes no mistakes, every person and creature on earth has a purpose. It doesn’t matter if you are gay, homeless, Jewish, Black, Catholic, crippled, Hindu or a billionaire – we are all God’s children, here for a reason.”
Wow. In an era of so much division – political, economic, religious and otherwise – it’s easy to focus on what we don’t like about other people.
Not Bill. He always talked about the GOOD in others.
In his eulogy, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recalled how members of the City Council went on a fact-finding mission concerning Skid Row. Members of the group were told to put on gloves and to be careful not to touch anyone, for fear of contracting some dread disease.
Bill reportedly threw his gloves to the ground and expressed outrage. Soon he was face-to-face with several homeless individuals, hugging them, offering words of encouragement. That was Bill.
His house was a haven for chickens, visitors from all walks of life, and homeless people in need of a place to stay – All of God’s children.
I went over there a few weeks ago to pay my respects. I don’t know that he knew I was there, but everyone in the room – and there were many – got along instantly, for we all shared a common bond.
Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, who presided at the April 5 service, said he and Bill often got into spirited discussions about politics and religion. But one thing they had in common, according to the Monsignor, was a huge affection for Pope Francis.
It’s almost like Bill was our version of Pope Francis, on a local level, long before we knew the real Pope Francis even existed.
In Council District 11, I’ve had the privilege of knowing Marvin Braude, Cindy Miscikowski, Bill Rosendahl and now, Mike Bonin. They are all very different, but all have been very smart and committed to the district.
I think we have been very blessed and lucky to have these folks represent us. It feels to me like Mike Bonin is particularly willing to face the tough issues and really dig in.
In a few years, as Mike builds a record of accomplishment, we should remember to recall that it was Bill Rosendahl who picked Mike as his chief of staff, paving the way for Mike to succeed Bill. So, Bill’s legacy will carry on in ways that go well beyond fond memories.
Let’s remember Bill by recalling the original Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Where there is hatred, let us find love. Where there is injury, let’s seek to pardon. It is more important to console than to be consoled; it is better to understand than to seek to be understood.
Thank you, Bill. We miss you already.
