Douglas Richard Widtfeldt

Douglas Richard Widtfeldt passed away March 30, 2015, days before realizing the outcome of 'March Madness'. Born on the last day of the year in 1957, he reveled in the simple fact that "New Year's Eve" had nothing over him. He was known to everyone as Doug, or Douglas, but to me he was simply Dad. Dad stepped off this planet so unexpectedly that it's difficult to find the words to express all the things that I still had to say to him.

My Dad left behind his mom, two sisters, a brother, three nephews, a niece and myself. He also left behind many friends who will miss him as much as his family does. Dad would never want any 'hoopla' put on, because he wasn't that kind of man. Instead, he would want some kind of competitive event to take place with winner take all. My father was an avid sports fan who followed most any type of competitive game, but his greatest love was for basketball. Dad played basketball throughout high school and went on to receive a full ride scholarship to the University of Southern California. Upon his graduation from USC, he was recruited by the LA Lakers, but by a series of unfortunate mishaps, that dream did not come to fruition. Instead he played basketball in Europe for several years and finally returned to his home in La Mirada, Ca.

Dad moved up to Sacramento and went on to work in the political arena, not only as a staffer in the State Capitol, but as a lobbyist for nearly 25 years. My father came to love politics ALMOST as much as he loved basketball.

My father was loved dearly by his family and friends, and we will keep him in our hearts forever. Dad, I love you - ALWAYS.