Following the death of former Santa Clara County Supervisor Rod Diridon at age 87 on Friday, elected officials at various levels of government, as well as organizations connected to Diridon, reacted to his passing. Those comments are excerpted here:
U.S Rep. Zoe Lofgren: “Rod and I served for years together on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. The son of Italian immigrants and “the father of modern transit” in Santa Clara County, his decades of public service have made a lasting impact on our community. Anytime we pass by Diridon Station in San Jose or enjoy California’s light-rail system, we should remember the man who dedicated his life to improving our area’s infrastructure and serving the common good. I’m thankful for the time I got to spend with Rod, and my thoughts are with the Diridon family.”
U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo: “I admired Rod most for his passion; never stopped fighting for our Valley’s — and our planet’s — future. I won’t forget his firm handshake and kind guidance, and we must never forget his legacy.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan: “Last night, we lost Rod Diridon Sr., a man who dedicated his life to connecting our communities. His name marks San José’s regional transit hub for good reason: Rod believed Silicon Valley’s transit system should rival those of Paris, Stuttgart, Tokyo, and Toronto — and he spent every day working to make that vision a reality.
“On a personal level, Rod became a friend and mentor when Silvia and I moved back to San Jose a decade ago. He recruited me into Rotary, shared lessons from his time in public office, kept us updated on the many transportation and climate trends he was tracking, and always reminded me to get home to spend time with the kids.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all of Rod’s family, friends, and all who were inspired by his life and work. But his vision does not end here. We will carry it forward — continuing his work to Ring the Bay in Rail and bring greater access and opportunity to every corner of San Jose and the Bay Area.”
Leah Toeniskoetter, San Jose Chamber of Commerce CEO: “Over the past two decades, I had the opportunity to work alongside Rod on many issues close to his passions — community, transportation, policy, civic engagement and the sometimes complex politics that come with moving big ideas forward. Through it all, he was a steady, thoughtful, and deeply committed leader.
“Rod believed in transit not just as infrastructure, but as a pathway to opportunity — for access, for equity, for the future of our region. His leadership as the Founding Director of Mineta Transportation Institute helped shape conversations and outcomes that will benefit generations.”
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA): “At VTA we are deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Diridon Sr., a visionary leader and tireless champion of public transportation. For more than 50 years, Rod advocated for expanded, equitable transit, helping shape the systems our communities depend on today.
“His leadership and passion connected people, strengthened our region, and advanced sustainable mobility. We are grateful for his lasting contributions and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were inspired by his work.”
Sergio Lopez, Campbell City Councilmember and VTA Board Chair: “To be around Rod was not just to come into contact with a local living legend. It was to come away energized with the conviction that government could still do big things — that ordinary people could dream into existence something that wasn’t there before, something that would connect all of us, something that might one day even be taken for granted, which wouldn’t be a failure but a success in that what was once thought impossible had become ordinary.”
Larry Stone, former Santa Clara County assessor: “For five decades, Rod embodied what it means to be a community and political icon. His passion, vision and leadership in public transportation and climate change leaves an extraordinary legacy to Silicon Valley.”
California High-Speed Rail CEO Ian Choudri: “Rod Diridon was not only a giant in California’s history, but a deeply cherished friend whose presence, wisdom, and warmth touched so many of us. His vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in a more connected California laid the very foundation for the high-speed rail system we are advancing today.
“For decades, Rod saw what others could not yet fully imagine – that California would one day need a modern, statewide rail network to serve its people and its future. He didn’t simply speak about that vision; he devoted his life to bringing it into being. Through his early leadership at the California High-Speed Rail Authority and his enduring contributions to transportation across the state, Rod shaped not just infrastructure, but possibility itself.”
Ray LaHood, co-chair of U.S. High Speed Rail and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation: “Rod was a giant in the transportation world. He was totally committed to making high-speed rail a reality in California and never stopped working to provide his expertise and influence toward achieving that goal.”
Andy Kunz, President & CEO of U.S. High Speed Rail: “It is with deep sadness that we honor the passing of our great friend and leader Rod Diridon. Rod has been a tireless advocate for delivering climate solutions and a better life for Americans through the development of world-class rail systems. Rod spent decades doing the hard work of bringing people together to push for this important mission.
“We are forever grateful to Rod for his effort, and we are proud to help carry forward the mission of delivering high speed rail to completion. Rod was a model citizen whose life and work will be forever remembered and appreciated by all those whose life he made better.”