'Even-Keeled' Lake Forest Leader Dies

A longtime Lake Forest leader with a reputation for "getting things done" has died after a long battle with health issues.

Richard T. Dixon died Nov. 25 at the age of 63.

He "truly had a remarkable impact" on the city, said Lake Forest Mayor Peter Herzog, who served with Dixon during 16 of his 19 years as a councilman.

Dixon sat on the city's founding council and was continually reelected in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 until he after being hospitalized for more than a month that summer.

Herzog, who became "close friends" with Dixon while on council, called him an "even-keeled" leader who set the tone for the city's dealings with residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

"To me, Lake Forest has a very good reputation for getting things done ... we don't just talk, we just take action and get things done," Herzog said. "That was [Dixon's] approach."

Some—though not Dixon—, which kept him occupied during the campaign season. He didn't identify his long-term illness publicly.

Still, Dixon , after the election, "I feel strong ... It's just amazing. I wish I felt this strong during the election period. It's really sad, but it is what it is."

During his tenure on the council, Dixon served as mayor pro tem in 1994, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2005 and 2010, and mayor in 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2007. 

In addition to his tenure on Lake Forest's governing body, Dixon also participated in public service on a regional level.

"[Dixon] was also well-respected outside of the city itself, which was beneficial both to [Lake Forest] and to Orange County," Herzog said.

Dixon was a past president of the Southern California Association of Governments and on the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities. With the League of California Cities, he served on the Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee, the Tribal Government Collaborative Task Force and the Orange County Division Executive Committee. A former Orange County Transportation Authority board member, he also served on the Highways, Transit, 20/20, and the 91 Advisory subcommittees. 

In addition, he was a member of both the Metrolink and LOSSAN Board of Directors as well as past Chairman and Board Member of the Orange County Council of Governments. 

Dixon entered the insurance business in 1975 and started his own health insurance agency in 1987. He was a recipient of the Small Business of the Year Award from the South Orange County Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the .

He played a role from the beginning in Lake Forest's development, from renovations such as the El Toro Road revamp to its reputation as one of the nation's safest towns, Herzog said.

Dixon is survived by his mother and two sons.

Services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at . Interment will follow immediately at at approximately 1 p.m. with military honors.