Two pillars of the Yucaipa community who served on the city council and the planning commission during the initial decade of the city’s existence as a municipality died within five days of one another earlier this month.
Diane Smith, who was a councilwoman from 2000 to 2004 and again from 2008 to 2012 and previous to that had served as a member of the planning commission from 1995 to 2000, died on July 9, 2026,
Four days later, on July 14, 2026, Dick Riddell, who was a member of the city council for a quarter of a century from 1995 to 2020, including 14 years as mayor, joined Smith in eternity.
Smith was 77. Riddell was 101.
In recognizing Riddell’s time in public office and his contributions during his lifetime, the city put out a statement remarking on his “decades of dedicated public service and unwavering commitment to the community,” which, it said, “helped shape the City of Yucaipa into the beautiful community it is today.”
After graduating from San Bernardino High School in June 1942, Riddell, who was born on March 28, 1925, enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 and was trained as radio and signals operator before being assigned to a Naval Arm­ed Guard unit. That unit escorted cargo ships, generally in the Pacific Theater, and Riddell steamed to Hawaii, the Marshall Islands, Gilbert Islands, Guam, Saipan and Tinean in the Marianna Islands, New Cal­edonia, New Hebrides, Tulagi, Australia, including Melbourne, Ade­laide and Port Pirie, as well as Finchhaven and Milne Bay in New Guinea. Over the course of the war, Riddell estimated, he sailed on more than 15 ships and covering over 200,000 nautical miles, with an occasional foray through the Panama Canal to protect cargo ships in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
After he discharged from the Navy, Riddell returned to San Bernardino, where he attended San Bernardino Valley College and then matriculated at Redlands University earning both Bach­elors and Masters degrees in management. He and his wife Cherry married in 1948. They had four children.
Riddell worked for the Southern California Gas Company from 1948 to 1988,  working his way up the corporate ladder into various management positions, including division engineer, distribution planning supervisor, and division superintendent.
The Riddell family moved to Yucaipa in 1985.
Following his retirement from So Cal Gas, Riddell worked for a decade, fron 1988 until 1998 as a public relations and marketing consultant for the  C.H.J. Engineering Corporation.
He was associated with the Yucaipa incorporation movement, which reached fruition in 1989.
Riddell was first elected to the Yucaipa City Council on June 6, 1995, and was re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016, serving over 26 consecutive years as a City Councilmember. His council colleagues appointed him to serve as mayor from December 9, 1996, through December 8, 2008, and again beginning December 12, 2016 until December 2017. He remained on the city council until he was defeated for reelection in the November 2020 election by Justin Beaver.
During his tenure, Dick represented Yucaipa on numerous local and regional boards and committees, including the American Legion, California Oak Foundation, Crafton Hills Open Space Conservancy, Omnitrans Board of Directors, Omnitrans Planning Committee, San Bernardino Association of Governments (SANBAG) Board of Directors, SANBAG Major Projects Committee, SANBAG Plans and Programs Committee, San Bernardino County Flood Control Advisory Commission, Yucaipa Valley Conservancy, Yucaipa Historical Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, and many other organizations dedicated to serving the community.
According to the city’s statement, “Dick’s leadership helped guide the City through years of thoughtful growth while maintaining a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and sound planning. He was instrumental in advancing the Oak Glen Road/Interstate 10 Interchange, helping facilitate the Project Advancement Agreement that enabled construction of the interchange years ahead of schedule. His leadership also contributed significantly to the planning, design, and construction of many public facilities including the Yucaipa Transit Center, Fire Station 3, the police station and many flood control projects, reflecting his longstanding commitment to the residents of the City of Yucaipa. A passionate advocate for preserving Yucaipa’s natural resources, Dick played a key role in the creation of a State Park in Park in Yucaipa, Wildwood Canyon State Park and City’s El Dorado Ranch Park, ensuring that future generations would continue to enjoy the City’s open spaces and scenic beauty. Throughout his years in public office, Dick earned the respect of colleagues and residents alike through his ethical approach to leadership, his willingness to listen, and his belief in leading by example. His commitment to the best interests of the community was evident in every decision he made and every project he championed. Dick Riddell’s legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to the City of Yucaipa will be remembered with gratitude for generations to come.  His legacy of leadership, integrity, and civic responsibility leaves an enduring impact on the City and the region.”
Mayor Chris Venable said “Dick Riddell exemplified what it means to be a public servant,” said Mayor Chris Venable. “For more than two decades, he led with integrity, humility, and a steadfast commitment to the people of Yucaipa. His vision and dedication helped shape our community, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. On behalf of the city council and the entire Yucaipa community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Dick’s family and loved ones.”
Smith was born in Los Angeles on April  She graduated from Bell High School and attended college at Long Beach State University, through which she was able to obtain her license as a licensed speech and language pathologist. This led into her 34-year career working public school systems, where she specialized in assisting students with handicaps, in particular ones afflicted with aphasia and mild, moderate and severe stuttering.
She and her husband, Ron, lived in Hacienda Heights during the early years of their marriage, which produced two children, Jeff and Shannon. They moved to Yucaipa in 1983. Diane went to work with the Beaumont Unified School District.
In 1995, Smith began was appointed to the Yucaipa Planning Commission to fill an unexpired term. She was elected to the city council five years later. She did not seek reelection in 2004, but was elected when she ran again in 2008.
As a councilwoman, Smith represented the city on numerous regional organizations and local committees. She served as chairwoman of the Yucaipa Redevelopment Agency from 2000 to 2003 and represented Yucaipa on the Crafton Hills Open Space Conservancy, the League of California Cities as Legislative Delegate, the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water Advisory Committee, and Omnitrans. She also served as council liaison to the Economic Development Advisory Committee, Finance Committee, Youth Advisory Committee, and Healthy Yucaipa Committee.
She opted to not seek reelection in 2012.
In 2021-2022, Smith also served as a commissioner on the Park and Recreation Commission.
According to a statement from the City of Yucaipa, “Smith leaves behind a legacy through many initiatives that continue to enrich the community today. She was instrumental in the creation of the Yucaipa Iris Festival, dedicating countless hours to establishing what became one of the city’s signature annual events for many years. She also initiated the Youth Advisory Committee, creating opportunities for young residents to become engaged in civic leadership. Through the collaborative efforts of the committee and city staff, Yucaipa participated in the National Civic League’s 2011 All-America City Award competition, showcasing the city’s spirit of innovation and community involvement. During her tenure on the city council, Smith championed projects that significantly enhanced the quality of life for Yucaipa residents. Her leadership contributed to the development of the Yucaipa Community Center, Yucaipa Community Park, City Hall, Fire Station No. 3, the Uptown Revitalization Project, the affordable senior housing project, the Yucaipa Community Aquatics Center, the beginning of construction on the multi-purpose 13th Street Sports Complex, and renovations to valued community landmarks, including the Historical Fire Museum and the Vision Quest Facility. The City of Yucaipa extends its heartfelt sympathies to Diane Smith’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. Her dedication to public service, her passion for the community, and her lasting contributions to Yucaipa will be remembered with gratitude and respect.”
-Mark Gutglueck