Former La Habra City Manager Dies
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LA HABRA — Lee Risner, La Habra’s city manager for 25 years, died Tuesday of cancer of the esophagus. He was 68.
Risner, a resident of Seal Beach, retired in 1995 to take care of his ailing wife, former Seal Beach Councilwoman Joyce Risner, who was was found to have a brain tumor five years ago.
Risner, a California native, also was city manager in Seal Beach, from 1966 to 1970. In La Habra, he started one of the state’s first Head Start programs for underprivileged children. He also started one of Orange County’s first paramedic systems and a dial-a-ride transportation service.
He served on several countywide boards and commissions, including the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Joyce; sons David and Matthew Risner; stepson Douglas Stidley; stepdaughter Shari Stover; mother Edith Reid; brother Dean Risner; and six grandchildren.
Services are pending at Westminster Memorial Park.
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