Robert Gnaizda

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Timothy Simon

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Robert Gnaizda

August 06, 1936 - July 11, 2020

We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Robert Gnaizda. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual and in person gatherings, we will share details here. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.

OBITUARY

In honor of God, my prayers and condolences to Claudia and the Gnaizda family. I admired Bob long before I had the privilege to meet him. As a law student, I read with complete adulation of his work with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and later The Public Advocates Law Firm. A firm that I held in the prestigous status of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Southern Povery Law Center. Later in life, I was VP and ... see more In honor of God, my prayers and condolences to Claudia and the Gnaizda family. I admired Bob long before I had the privilege to meet him. As a law student, I read with complete adulation of his work with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation and later The Public Advocates Law Firm. A firm that I held in the prestigous status of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Southern Povery Law Center. Later in life, I was VP and Senior Counsel at Bank of America. I would read the publication American Banker everyday and marvel at the victories of Robert Gnaizda and John Gamboa, fighting to make the Community Reinvestment Act true to its origins. His ability to position The Greenlining Institute to effectively block bank mergers to the benefit of disenfranchised African American and other oppressed communities denied access to this nations capital markets was brilliant! Speaking at a Memorial for my dear friend Lynn Canty, founder of the Black Economic Council I referenced El Hajj Malik Shabazz aka Malcolm X. When he left the Nation of Islam and created the Black United Front he was asked if he would allow white people into his new organization? He responeded, yes, "John Brown" White People. Bob was a spiritual lineal descendent of the Abolitionist John Brown, whom gave his life for the liberation of Africans from chattel slavery. Bob was dedicated to liberation, but, did not view himself as a White Savior.

I finally met Bob when I was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the CPUC. I had to pinch myself to believe that he was seeking a meeting with me! Having served as a CPUC Commissioner with President Michael R. Peevey, I was Blessed to see a text book lesson on how a regulator can be a change agent for liberation. We broke records in supplier diversity opening access to diverse businesses to monopoly regulated invesor owned utility procurement. Peevey understood that public service means what it is, service to the public, in a fashion that fosters liberation. I saw Robert in the hearing room as he through cross examination peeled back the historic impacts of privilege in the rate base funded utility projects. We are a better state and nation because of Robert, who I am confident concurs, that we have only scratched the surface of fighting injustice. I love you Bob. May you Rest in Eternal Peace. Thank you Faith for this platform. Thank you to the Gnaizda Family for sharing this Icon!

Timothy

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