Who are the new Legends of Lakewood?
Published on March 26, 2025
At every five-year anniversary of Lakewood’s incorporation, the City Council names individuals, organizations and programs that have made a significant contribution to the development of the city as Legends of Lakewood.
With Lakewood currently wrapping up its 70th anniversary commemoration, Mayor Todd Rogers led the City Council in honoring three individuals and one community program as new Legends of Lakewood.
At a dinner honoring family members and those closely connected with the Legends, community leaders remarked that the Legends embody the ideals that Lakewood residents have held dear for many years. Their contributions have made a lasting impact that will continue for generations to come, and it is hoped that there will always be people in Lakewood who give of themselves and inspire others to do the same…and keep Lakewood the special place it has been for 70 years…and counting.
Photo: Lakewood City Council presents the family members of honoree Dennis Lander with the Legends of Lakewood award.
Watch the full 2025 Legends of Lakewood event video.
Project Shepherd
Project Shepherd was named a Legend for being a lifeline to those in need for over 50 years. The non-profit program is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Lakewood, the city and hundreds of volunteers and donors whose efforts provide hundreds of Lakewood residents experiencing economic hardship with emergency food, utility bill assistance, holiday food and gifts, and backpacks for school.
Vice Mayor Cassandra Chase told the audience at The Centre that the word “shepherd” in Project Shepherd is actually an acronym. “Yes, there was a community contest in the early 1970s to name the program and this was the winner,” said Chase. “SHEPHERD stands for: Share, Help, Energy, Peace, Happiness, Everyone, Remember, Donations. Remember that for a Lakewood trivia night!”
Kirk Real
The late Kirk Real, an original Lakewood resident and longtime educator and community leader, was also named a Legend. Real was the principal of Mayfair High School for many years and of every elementary school existing in the Bellflower Unified School District during his career. Council Member Steve Croft led the council in presenting the award to Real’s family saying that Real had been a “community volunteer extraordinaire” with his lengthy service with Pathways Volunteer Hospice and Christ Presbyterian Church along with 39 years on city commissions.
Dennis Lander
Another posthumous Legends award was given to original Lakewood resident and Vietnam veteran Dennis Lander. Lander was one of the original, huge group of kids who grew up in Lakewood in the 1950s and ‘60s. He then joined another large group of hundreds of young Lakewood residents who enlisted or were drafted to serve in the military during the Vietnam War. Forty-three of those Lakewood youth gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation in Vietnam…and their names were placed on the city’s veterans memorial at Del Valle Park. “Those experiences,” said Council Member Jeff Wood, “and his life in Lakewood, led Lander to write the iconic poem, ‘The Boys of Del Valle Park,’ that has become part of the fabric of our community and has made Dennis Lander truly a Legend of Lakewood.”
Dave Rodda
The late Dave Rodda was honored for laying the groundwork for a lot of what has made Lakewood a great sports and recreation community. Rodda started as a part-time coach for Lakewood in the 1950s, rose through the ranks, and became the city’s Director of Recreation and Community Services in 1987. He is perhaps best known for his role in making Lakewood a pioneer among cities in developing sports and recreation programs for girls and women.
Rodda became an U.S. Olympic coach for women’s track and field in the 1980s and was Lakewood’s representative in carrying the Olympic torch through Southern California to welcome the 1984 Summer Games. He was also instrumental in developing many popular Lakewood programs and facilities, including Concerts in the Park, Arbor Day and the nature trail along the San Gabriel River. “Dave Rodda was a giant for our city and played a larger-than-life role in the development of recreation, sports and community services in Lakewood,” said Council Member David Arellano, who presented the Legends award to the family.
“These Legends of Lakewood embody the ideals that we hold dear in our city,” said Mayor Todd Rogers in wrapping up the event. “Their contributions have made a lasting impact that will continue for generations to come, and it is my hope that there will always be people in Lakewood who give of themselves and inspire others to do the same…and keep Lakewood the special place it has been for 70 years…and counting.”