Vice Mayor Don Biddle Dies At Age 80

DUBLIN, CA — The community and city employees are mourning the loss of Vice Mayor Don Biddle. City officials said Biddle died this week at the age of 80 after battling a brief illness. Biddle served on the city council for more than nine years after he was appointed in 2008. The longtime resident was a beloved fixture in the Dublin community.

"We are grieving the loss of our friend and colleague," Haubert said. "Don is in a class by himself. He was an incredibly kind and giving person and served this community with distinction and integrity, not only as a member of the City Council but in so many ways that it is difficult to enumerate. My hope is that we will all honor Don by sharing positive stories and memories that shape his legacy."

Haubert said Biddle was his "right-hand man" and was someone he trusted to serve in his stead when he was unavailable.

"I will miss him," Haubert told Patch.

Officials said flags will be at half staff until his interment. Information on funeral services is pending.

"We have lost a great leader and a dear friend," said Councilmember Melissa Hernandez. "Don was the epitome of a dedicated public servant. He was a part of our family, a fixture around City Hall and he had a profound and positive impact on our daily lives. We will miss him beyond words."

Public Information Officer Shari Jackman said Don epitomized the word "gentleman."

While serving on the Dublin City Council, Biddle represented the Council as a member of the Housing Commission of Alameda County, Alameda County Waste Management Authority, Alameda County Library Commission, Dublin Housing Authority, Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, Alameda County Transportation Commission, Tri-Valley Transportation Commission, East Bay Community Energy Board, and the Tri-Valley – San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority.

Prior to serving on the Dublin City Council, Biddle served 12 years as a Trustee on the Dublin School Board and four years on the Dublin Planning Commission. His participation on other community service organizations was unparalleled. He was past President of Dublin Partners in Education (DPIE) where he served nearly 20 years, and the Tri-Valley unit of the American Cancer Society and served on the boards for Tri-Valley YMCA, Dublin Integrity in Action, the Dublin Sister City Association, and Habitat for Humanity in Lafayette, Indiana. He was also a member of the Dublin Historical Preservation Society and Dublin Rotary, where he once fittingly served as chairman of the Community Service Committee.

City officials released a list of Biddle’s achievements during his distinguished career.

• The development of several parks, including the most recent Jordan Ranch Park, Passatempo Park and Positano Park, the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums, Fallon Sports Park, and the Emerald Glen Recreation and Aquatic Complex (“The Wave”)
• The redevelopment of the former Arroyo Vista site, a Federal housing project, into Emerald Vista, the region’s first mixed-income housing development which won several national honors and awards;The development of Valor Crossing, a 66-unit affordable housing apartment complex for active military and their families, as well as veterans who have served our country
• Supporting local non-profit organizations, including the School of Imagination, the YMCA, and Hope Hospice, in establishing a strong presence in the City of Dublin.

Officials said Biddle, a Purdue University graduate, spent 31 years in the Engineering and Construction industry with Bechtel Corporation and General Contractors as a field engineer, cost and schedule engineer, project manager, and project controls manager.

He is survived by his wife, Donnamarie, his two daughters, Patricia and Sandee, and his grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Bruce.

For those wishing to send their condolences, the City Manager’s Office will collect them and provide them to his family. Write or drop off at the City Manager’s Office, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568.

Photo of Don Biddle courtesy City of Dublin