Former Assemblyman Keith Richman dies at 56

Keith Richman, who fought for pension reform during three terms in the California Assembly and was a leader in the Valley secession movement, has died. He was 56.

Richman died Friday night at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center after a battle with cancer, said his brother, Craig.

Richman was elected to the state Assembly in 2000 from the 38th District in the Santa Clarita Valley.

He served until 2006. A physician, Richman advocated for healthcare reform and he tried unsuccessfully to qualify a pension-reform initiative for the state ballot.

In a statement Saturday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised Richman as a "passionate public servant."

An obit will follow at latimes.com/obituaries

--Staff and wire reports

Photo: Keith Richman

Comments

[Barb Stoll]

My husband and I are saddened to learn of Dr. Richman's passing. In 1994, he saved my husband's life by ordering a stress test after my husband had some chest discomfort while playing racquet ball. My husband ended up having quintuple by-pass surgery and we are forever grateful to Dr. Richman for his diligence. Our sympathies go out to his family and colleagues.

Frank and Barb Stoll
formerly of Santa Clarita, now living in New Bern, NC

[Michael, MPA]

This is really too bad and my condolences to the Richman family. I met Dr. Richman when he was in office and was actively working for a SFV secession. I was very impressed with him - he was very down to earth, very pragmatic, and he obviously understood the issues. It's a huge loss for his family and his community of patients, and a huge loss for the people of CA.