Former CA Fire Chief Richard Bridges Memorial

Written and Submitted by Marla Jo Fisher,

A memorial is scheduled Friday for the associate dean of the fire technology program at Santa Ana College, who died after a year spent battling a malignant brain tumor.

Richard Bridges, 64, worked at Santa Ana College since 1997. A past president of the California Fire Chiefs Association, he was previously fire chief at Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Daly City and National City.

His daughter, Cindy Creager, said her dad loved his job at the college and the people he worked with.

Bridges died Monday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His wife, Alice, found him about 9 a.m. on the deck of their home in Redondo Beach, his daughter, Cindy Creager, said. He had been ill for over a year and toxic chemotherapy was making it difficult to get around.

Before coming to Santa Ana, Bridges had started his career in Indio, later working in Banning, Rialto, Daly City, National City, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica.

Bridges’ Christian faith was important to him, his daughter said.

“He witnessed even when he was ill,” she said. “He served at a church service that gave groceries to people in need.”

Bridges is survived by his wife of 28 years, Alice Bridges of Redondo Beach and daughters Creager, of Lakeview, Oregon, and Lisa Baker of Simi Valley.

“He was a great man and touched many hearts,” his widow, Alice Bridges, said.

Friday’s memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Rolling Hills Covenant Church, 2222 Palos Verdes Dr. North in Rolling Hills Estates.

Family Writes Obituary…

Richard Blair Bridges, a 20 year resident of Redondo Beach, passed away on Monday, September 1, 2008 at his home in Redondo Beach.

Born in Oxnard, California on July 11, 1944, he was 64 at the time of his death.  Richard’s career began in the fire service when he was in his early twenties.

He worked his way up the ranks from volunteer fire firefighter and eventually retired as Chief of the Santa Monica Fire Department. He also was the Fire Chief for the City of Redondo Beach. He was a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

His current employment, of the last eleven years, was with Santa Ana College where he was the Dean of the Fire Technology Department. He was concerned for the community and state that he lived in.

He was a past participant in Rotary International, Lions Club International and was the President of the California Fire Chiefs Association.

Fire Ordinances regarding residential sprinklers for three different cities are in place today because of his concern for public safety.

Richard loved to read, study financial planning and the stock market and enjoyed giving the wisdom he had to others.

His active participation at the Rolling Hills Covenant Church lead him to service with the ACTS ministry. Delivering groceries to the needy and praying with those who were hurting gave him great joy. He befriended all he encountered.

He and his wife Alice loved to travel the world and when at home gave much attention to their daughters and four beautiful granddaughters. Richard will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife Alice Bridges of Redondo Beach, Ca., his Father, Jay Bridges of Banning, Ca., Daughters, Lisa Baker of Simi Valley, Ca., and Cindy Creager of Lake View, Or., he was preceded by his wife Jeannette Bridges.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday, September 5th at 3:00 p.m. at Rolling Hills Covenant Church, Palos Verdes California. All are welcome to this Celebration of his Life.

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