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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