The memorial service for former Assemblyman Keith Richman, who led the San Fernando Valley secession movement and founded Glendale-based Lakeside Community Healthcare, will be held Aug. 4 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. The service will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., said Gary Washburn, who worked as a campaign manager for Richman for 10 years. Richman died of brain cancer July 31 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Washburn said. Richman served the 38th Assembly district from 2000 to 2006. His district included parts of the San Fernando Valley, Simi Valley and Santa Clarita. During that time, he led the San Fernando Valley’s movement to secede from the city of Los Angeles, a plan that was unsuccessful. Richman was also the founder of medical group Lakeside Community Healthcare. “Representing Keith was an honor,” Washburn said. “He was honest, he had a lot of integrity, and he always told the truth.” Washburn said Richman’s greatest accomplishments were promoting healthcare legislation and pension reform. “A major accomplishment of his was bringing the issue (of pension reform) to the public despite a lot of opposition,” he said. “Now it’s become a major issue as far as the State Legislature is concerned.” Jessica Selva
