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Stan Rivett,
Police Aide with the Los Alamitos Police Department, passed away on
Thursday, October 16 after battling a brain tumor for several months.
Stan joined the Department as a Police Aide in 1990, after a
thirty-five year career as a Supervisor for a gas valve manufacturer.
His first assignment was as the Department’s Parking Control Officer.
For the past ten years, Stan has been the Department’s Property
Officer and performed a myriad of additional duties. Although Stan
worked part-time, he always managed to make time to accommodate
everyone’s requests. He served with dedication, hard work and
efficient follow-thru. Stan earned the respect of the Department and
was admired for his quick wit and willing spirit. He was
affectionately referred to as Stan the Man. In 1999, Stan was
honored as the Department’s Civilian Employee of the Year. In
addition to his family, his dogs, ice hockey, and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts,
Stan loved his job and always looked forward to coming to work!
Stan is survived by
his wife, Sateana, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 7
great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service
is scheduled for Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 A.M. at Emmanuel
Reformed Church in Paramount.
Directions
updated October 24, 2003
Stan managed our property room so well and I realized several years
ago how irreplaceable he was. So in 1997, I made a deal with
him... He couldn't retire until I did. I'd often remind
him, "Stan, only fifteen more years". He'd take a deep breath,
let me know that would put him in his eighties, and then tell me that
he didn't have plans to leave anytime soon.
Stan's work ethic
and love for his job was so inspiring. I think it's easy for us
to often take our careers for granted, but Stan has always set an
example as someone with a true appreciation for his work.
Stan was such an
asset to the Los Alamitos Police Department and always a pleasure to
be around. I miss him already.
~~Todd Mattern
Every morning when Stan would walk into the report writing room to
start his day I would say, "Hi Darlin', how's the baby!" He
would always respond, "Hi Sweetie, the baby is perfect. Don't
know how I'd live without her!" The "baby" was referring to his
Schnauzer, whom he loved dearly. That's what what we had most in
common, the love for our dogs. Stan had a heart of gold, and I
have no doubt he's looking after all the dogs in heaven!!
~~Sharon Kerbow
Everytime I try to
put my feelings into words I cry... Stan you'll be missed by all of
us. You've touched our hearts!!
~~Teri Erbes
Stan and I would
chat daily about things, and I respected how he took such responsible
and loving care of his elderly mother, boasted regularly about his
grandchildren, and always spoke with such tender affection, gratitude,
and love for his wife, Sateana. Family was obviously very important.
The last time I saw
Stan was at the Ice Cream Party we had last month. He, Sateana, and
his caregiver, Doris, were there. Some Officers came in for their
shifts early. Everyone stopped their work to spend some time with
Stan. We shared time, stories, and some laughs together. We shared
ice cream together. Stan had seconds. I am so grateful we had that
day together. I hope that Stan felt just how very much he was loved.
Stan was absolutely THE MAN.
~~Catherine Howard
Good Times with Stan
I used to call him
"Pop" for a pop rivet, rhyming with his last name. He used to
laugh.
I used to turn off
the lights in the evidence/property room when he was inside.
He would always
reply, "OK LP," thinking I was the culprit every time, even if I was
not.
I remember the good
times at Joe Jost's drinking beer and eating Pickled Eggs watching
football games on television. Not a good combination in your
stomach.
~~Lorin Paholski
Stan is a huge
hockey fan from Canada and he went to several contests with me.
Once, the Los Angeles Kings were playing the Redwings in the playoffs
and were down 3 goals. With about 5 minutes left we decided to
leave and beat traffic. As we went out the door, the Kings
scored a goal. They scored a second time when we got to the car.
They scored the third, tying it up, when we were on the freeway.
The Kings won in overtime by the time we got home. Stan and I
missed the biggest comeback win in the history of the NHL playoffs!
~~Jeff Travis
Stan was the only one that called me "Susie." Now there will be
nobody here to call me by that name.
~~Susan Brown
There are so many
things that I’ll remember about Stanski: I’ll remember his
desk with the little picture of his dog on it; I’ll remember how he
loved Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; I’ll remember how he just took care of
all the little things for us; I’ll remember how reliable and witty he
was; I’ll remember teasingly calling him Sparky after he fell
into a campfire; I’ll remember his ceaseless dedication to the
Department; and, most of all, I’ll remember how special he was, how
much he loved this Department and how much we all loved him! It was
just last Christmas that I told Stan that I couldn’t imagine this
Department without him…
Stan, forever
you’ll be our Stan the Man.
~~Cassandra Frye
Whether he was
making coffee in the break room or transporting property to the lab
for the millionth time, Stan Rivett always kept a smile on his face.
His outgoing attitude and humor made the P.D. a fun place to work at
on the mornings he was there. Even after he went home for the day,
traces of Stan were still left behind. The radio station in the
Police Services truck was always left on a country station. Sometimes
you might even see an empty box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the break
room trashcan. The way in which he carried out his job was an example
to all. It was easy to see that Stan loved working with us. He
seemed excited to be at work every day. Just being around someone
like that motivates you to be excited about your job too. Stan
achieved so much on a daily basis that it took several of us to do his
jobs. No matter how many people we hire to do his job, no one will
ever replace him. He was one of a kind. Stan, since Krispy Kreme
doughnuts are the best on the planet, I am assuming God has a
franchise up there. If not, you know where to find them Friday
mornings. Thank you Stan for touching my life and setting such an
awesome example to us all. I will never forget you.
Stan (The Man)
Rivett
End of Watch: October 16, 2003
Reassignment: Heaven
Beginning of New Watch: October 16, 2003
~~David Gensemer
Whenever I saw Stan
leave for the day at about 11:30 in the morning, I’d tease him and
call out, “I’ll try to hold down the fort while you’re gone…” Stan
would chuckle in his unassuming manner and reply, “OK now, do your
best. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
I didn’t realize
how deep his efforts for the department ran or how much he was missed
until he could no longer come back. More than a few times, we’ve
stood there trying to figure out who stocked particular supplies, or
monitored calibration schedules for our equipment, or ran various
errands for the good order of the organization. Then it would dawn on
us and we’d look at each other and say his name, “Stan.” It was the
“behind-the-scenes” routine tasks, nothing particularly glamorous,
that Stan took on and took ownership. Stan didn’t seek notoriety, and
in fact shunned being the center of attention. But what he took on,
was asked of, and volunteered for, was done like clockwork without a
complaint. Far more missed will be his positive attitude, his wit,
and his strength of character. No doubt, we are better for his
efforts.
Stan, I’ll try to
hold down the fort while you’re gone…
~~Sean Connolly
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