A Devoted Diamond Bar Marine, Father, and Activist

“Dad was a huge patriot. He believed a man’s handshake should be as good as a contract. He believed to have courage and be honest in all you do.”  – Dean Rumpilla

The son of a World War II Marine who was buried at sea after dying in on the beaches of Iwo Jima, Albert D. Rumpilla never knew his own father’s embrace, nor had a marked place to visit him.

Years later, after graduating from La Puente High School in 1962, "Al" followed in his father's footsteps by entering the U.S. Marine Corps. 

Al's mother, a nurse, had moved frequently in the early years and had supported the family on the frugal finances of a single mom until she remarried.

After serving as a Marine, Al took up work as a truck driver and settled in the open suburban community of Diamond Bar in the early 1970s. 

In Diamond Bar, Al's son Dean and daughter Donna said their father was able to raise a family that gathered around the dinner table for meals, where completing homework and chores were enforced with "military precision." 

And at work, Al was known as "Mr. Clean" for his clean clothes and spit-shined shoes, his children said.

Al's children said they were provided the stability of living in one home and being educated in one school district, in sharp contrast to their father's own turbulent upbringing.

For relaxation, Al liked to take the family up to the desert, sometimes racing motorcycles with the “Cactus Cats of Corona.” Sharing his love of freedom and open space, many late nights under the stars were special time for Al and his daughter, Donna.

In early Diamond Bar, whenever the subject of cityhood for Diamond Bar came up, Al stood in opposition. Al's son Dean remembers him liking the community just as it was, saying “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!”

With concerns that cityhood would bring with it burdensome taxes and regulations, Al chaired the “Vote No Diamond Bar Incorporation 1989 Committee.”

But Al didn't sit by the sidelines after the measure to incorporate won by a 3-1 margin; he changed his tactics. 

Al's new goal became “to make Diamond Bar the best city in the world.”

After retiring due to a back-injury, Al began introducing himself around the young city with a business card reading, “The Original Diamond Bar Gadfly.”  

Televised city meetings became “Gadfly Central. ” Al maintained an open house policy, inviting guests to join and scrutinize deliberations.

Financial records were inspected line by line — which Al said was not comfortable to staff at the time — but something Al said “prevented any thought that would have led Diamond Bar to operate the way Bell did,” during an interview with Al in March of this year.

Midway in Diamond Bar's history, then-councilman Bob Huff praised Al’s organizational skills to the press and gave him credit on influencing key policy issues on traffic. 

While health issues slowed down Al’s activism, he worked to bring awareness to the city council on senior citizens' issues.

“Al provided a great deal of input, especially at public meetings where outlines, revisions and modifications were discussed,” four-term councilmember Carol Herrera said.

Former councilmember John Forbing remembered Al's opposition to incorporation as a somewhat rogueish enterprise.

“When Diamond Bar incorporated, Al was sort of a member of a group that were anarchists," Forbing said. "Actually, what Al wanted was open government. He wanted to know everything and have everything discussed in public."

Forbing said Al was quickly reconciled with the idea of incorporation and that Al became deeply engaged in civic activities.

"(Al) and I eventually became friends and had many long discussions about how government should be carried on," Forbing said. "He was a supporter of the community and stayed involved as long as his health allowed him to. I will miss him. “

Albert D. Rumpilla, born Oct. 22, 1943, passed away March 28, 2011.

Al is survived by his spouse Sandra Sue Rumpilla, three children and three grandchildren.

A memorial Cell-Al-Bration potluck event is set for Saturday, April 9 from 2-6 p.m. at the Deane Homes Swim Club, at 1010 Overlook Ridge Road in Diamond Bar.

The family extends their invitation to Al’s friends to share remembrances with them.

All food is and beverage is welcome, though no alcohol is allowed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider a donation in Al's name to any of the following organizations:

The American Heart Association, Disabled American Vets, Jr. Diabetes Foundation, Cedars Sinai Cardiac Ward.  To donate directly to the family to help defray the costs of Al’s passing, please contact Dean Rumpilla at darumpilla@yahoo.com.