Lispi, Daniel Paul Whitney, Dan Lispi grew up in Pico Rivera, skillfully traversing gang territory as a kid on his paper route. His paternal grandparents hailed from Italy, his maternal grandfather, from Germany, and his maternal grandmother was Yaqui Indian. He graduated from Cantwell High School in 1967.
The love story between Dan and Linda began when he was 17 and she was 15 at the Battle of the Bands in Monterey Park in the Pedrini’s Music Store parking lot when he was the drummer of the band Group Three. Dan studied philosophy at USC, hitch-hiked across the U.S. and into Mexico, and was an activist in the student moratorium against the war. He put himself through law school working construction, married Linda in 1973, and passed the bar in 1975.
In 1978, they moved to Huntington Beach, their favorite beach where he would surf, and where they raised their kids, Michelle and Marc, in a cul-de-sac with over 15 kids. They were married for 52 years. As a father, Dan was a creator of over the top fun — birthdays with limousines and treasure hunts and ice sculptures; a Halloween raffle, where you could win $100, with a line out the door and around the block; and fantastical blankie rides and enchanted surprises from the “magic bunny.” He was legendary, creating magical childhoods, not just for his own kids, but for their friends and kids in the neighborhood.
As a lawyer, Dan was a pioneer in the workers’ compensation field, pushing back against powerful insurance companies, setting new precedents on behalf of workers and their due process rights. Dan was extravagantly generous, especially when tipping minimum wage workers at the drive thru window. Anytime family and friends needed legal help, he never hesitated to get them out of difficult situations. He was known as “Snackman” to his honorary grandkids, and “Mano Negra” to his colleagues at the Law Office of Robin Jacobs.
Dan was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic bladder cancer in October 2023, just a few months after celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary in Maui — their first trip to Hawaii together. He died less than two years later, on September 18, 2025 in his home of 47 years, taken care of by Linda, in the same room where he took care of his mother till her death. Forever a Trojan, he donated his body for research to the USC Keck School of Medicine. He was 76 years old. He loved the adventure of life. And he had a lot more magical fun to bring to this world. He said he wanted to be remembered as a “Lover of life, sports and literature: selfish but never to the point of overlooking the related equitable interests of others.” In fact, he lived his whole life in the interest of others. Now You Know. (NYK was his pen name for his writings in the Cantwell High School newspaper)
Richesson, Beverly, On September 30, 2025, Beverly Richesson passed away in her sleep, next to Roger, her sweetheart and husband of 69 years. They were “two peas in a pod”, as he always said.
Beloved by her family and friends, Beverly was known by her kindness and compassion. Her love for her family and her Christian faith were paramount in her life. Beverly had an unshakeable belief in “doing one’s best” at all times, which she engrained in her children. Her many titles included secretary, administrative assistant, poll worker, bible study leader, tennis player, beadwork enthusiast and hospital volunteer. Caring for her family was always a point of pride – sewing, cooking, gardening, and being “Head Laundress” as she used to say. This tireless energy extended to her grandchildren, making sure she left no stone unturned to help them with schoolwork, food, lodging and lots of prayer.
She was born and raised in Carrollton, Missouri, where she met her husband Roger Richesson. They married in 1956 and after Roger’s brief tour in the Army Signal Corp, they settled in Westchester, California. Beverly worked as a secretary for Hughes Aircraft, leaving in 1959 to raise their children, Robin and Jeff, and the family moved to Huntington Beach in 1965. Later, she returned to work at Golden West College, first for the Nursing Program and then in Community Services, 17 years in all. In her retirement she continued to improve her tennis game, was a leader in her church activities, and in her 10 years volunteering in the Gift Shop at OC Memorial Medical Center, she missed only one day of work.
Until her death, Beverly remained active in her bible study, and close to her friends and neighbors. She is survived by her husband Roger, sister Gayle Huxtable, brothers Howard Schmidt, Harold Schmidt and his wife Sandie, children Robin Richesson and partner Luis Rizzo, Jeff Richesson and his wife Elizabeth, grandchildren Briana and her husband Reade Bramer, Sam Richesson and his wife Lindsay DiMaggio, Cory Richesson, Joseph Richesson, Jackie Gordon and her husband Stephen, Katie Serazio and her husband James and great-grandchildren Luke and Lily Bramer, Rosalena and Francesca Serazio, and Ian and Mackenzie Gordon.
She will be always in our hearts.
Graveside Service held Saturday, October 11 at 1:00 pm, Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Dr, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
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