Rostra readers are invited to add their favorite Patti Krebs memories in the Comments section… SD City Councilman Ed Struiksma (1981-89, Dist. 5) and Business leader David Lewis paint a portrait of the woman respected and loved by so many.
Councilman & interim Mayor Ed Struiksma: “I was shocked to hear the devastating news of Patti’s death. Before my election to office Patti and I became friends while I was involved in the County Central Committee working on Assembly races. When I decided to run for City Council she was able to advise me on issues and once elected I contacted her to become my first full time Chief of Staff.
“I can say that she was a wonderful person to have known. She always had a smile on her face and always was looking for the positive in those she came in contact with. She made the office a fun place to work even during times of stress. No one could ever say a bad thing about her or her efforts. It was due to illness that she stepped down but several years later I had the joy of having her back when I had to assume the operation of the Mayor’s Office in 1985 – 1986. Patti and her family will be in our hearts forever.”
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Businessman, Political adviser David Lewis: “A lot of people can light up a room, but no one did it quite like Patti. Her enthusiasm was absolutely infectious. Few people had the tenacity — and contacts — to make things happen in San Diego like Patti did. There was no one she didn’t know and nothing that stopped her when she was on a mission.
“She started out as an administrative assistant at City Hall and worked her way up to Chief of Staff for a city councilmember before she left. And from there, her career continued to accelerate, ending with nearly two decades as executive director of the Industrial Environmental Association.
“We’re all replaceable, but there really was just one Patti.”
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Comments 4
A precious beautiful woman who brought new professionalism and stature to countless numbers of campaigns and political efforts for decades in San Diego. Always a smile and one who lit up the room when she entered. She will be missed.
Thank you, Jan, for that elegant tribute to our much-
respected friend Patti Krebs. Your reflections paint
a likeness of her personality which is immediately
recognizable.
Please share your knowledge and insights again at SD
Rostra by adding comments on any topics of interest
to you here. You have a lot to contribute, and your ideas
would be welcomed. Best wishes.
Important Announcement about Patti Krebs from the Industrial Environmental Association…
Today is a sad day as I announce the sudden passing of Patti Krebs. Her spirit of service and ‘can do’ attitude were talents that we strive to develop as personal attributes. Those of us who were lucky enough to work with and be mentored by her are better for her influence in our lives. Her indomitable spirit to get things done while servicing the interests of the association and all its members will continue. We have all benefitted from her countless hours of work and selfless dedication to environmental and sustainable causes. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy of dedication, accomplishments, passion and love for those things she believed in. She also leaves behind a family that loved her passionately. She will be lovingly remembered by all of us whose lives she touched for her spirit and inspiration, which were bigger than life itself.
Patti’s family is making out-of-town funeral arrangements, and if you would like to share your personal thoughts with her family, feel free to reply to this email message. We will assemble all expressions of remembrance and provide to her family. IEA will be planning a celebration of Patti’s life in December. The details will be announced in the next couple of weeks.
Words cannot express our sadness. And there is no better way to honor her spirit and memory than by continuing with the mission of IEA – she would not want it any other way. The Statewide Environmental Summit, into which she poured so much energy and creativity, will be dedicated to her memory.
R. Vilmarie Rodríguez, CIH, CPEA
IEA President
http://www.ieasdc.org/
Patti was one of the most wonderful, upbeat, sweet and beautiful people in public life in San Diego. She will be missed greatly.