Our region has lost a thoughtful and hard-working leader.

It's also worth mentioning that Ira worked to pass the legislation that created the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency. This agency gives representation to all of us on the Peninsula who use Hetchy-Hetchy water and who would have had to pay for the repairs to the system without any voice in the process, if it were not for Ira's efforts.

He was a great leader for the environment, education, honest government and human rights. With condolences to his family at this time of loss.

Ira, you will be greatly missed by so many. Thank you for all the good you have done.

I will never forget your telling the story of how you got inspired to get more imvolved in public policy and eventually run for office. As usual, it stemmed from your lifelong deep compassion for others, and your commitment to social justice. You said you had heard on NPR about the plight of the Bosnian Muslim women being held prisoners in rape camps during the genocide there. It inspired you to learn more and spurred you to help bring attention to this issue a local public forum which included the live transatlantic interview of rape camp survivors.For this work, you macame the first man to receive an award from DAWN (a Democratic feminist organization) for "excellent work performed on behalf of freedom and equality for women."

You had a soft-spoken and calming presence,m combined with deep passion, and effective manner of bringing important issues to light and connecting with a wide variety of people in the community, and helping us find common ground to really get things donw. I espcially appreciate the many environmental issues we worked on together, including helping save the State Parks when they were slated to be shut down.

With heartfelt sympathy to CHeryl, especially - as well as the many friends and family who will always cherish your memory. May your memory be a blessing, and your life an inspiration. Yasher koach, Ira! Rest in peace.

Ira's presents always honored our community. We knew he was looking out for us.
I will always remember Ira for his kindness.

From everything I have read and heard about Ira Ruskin I am sorry that I never had the opportunity to meet him.

It is so clear what kind of a humanitarian he was and how much he was loved by all who knew him.

Here's Ira featured in a short video from a 2000 PAL fundraiser in Redwood City.

Web Link

RIP Ira, you did a lot of good for a lot of people!!

my father was a professor in the 70's teaching student film making. Ira was one of his students. being a stanford brat I got to know Ira long before he made it into the big times. Becoming a mayor of redwood city ca. and then an assemblyman in sacramento I tell hoards of people who have never met ira ruskin that fame and never fortune never changed ira. Instead of helping himself he turned to helping others the best way he could. Once you met Ira, what you saw was what you got. Just a kind gentle soul with a huge heart and a big laugh.He has done so much for the surrounding area as well as in Sacramento and will be missed alot. rest in peace, your 3 year suffering of a brain tumor is finally over.

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