Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand dies at 65 after battle with cancer

Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand has died at the age of 65 from lung cancer, city officials announced Saturday.

Brand died Friday evening surrounded by family and friends including his wife.

"He valiantly fought stage four lung cancer over the past four and a half years, as only he could. He survived his specific cancer longer than any other diagnosed in the United States," according to a city statement released Saturday.

"A testament to his will to live, his will to move forward, and his will to lead the community he loved so much.

Brand had long been a champion of open-space policies and environmental protection. Born in Texas, he moved to the South Bay area in 1966 and later created the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, a nonprofit organization.

Brand served two terms on the city council and was elected mayor in 2017, winning re-election four years later. He continued to serve while undergoing cancer treatments in recent years.

Officials said service announcements for private and public ceremonies will be announced in the near future. In lieu of flowers, his wife and family are asking that donations be sent to the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, or the Cancer Support Community South Bay, in Brand's memory.

Flags at City Hall will be flown at half-staff.

"My heart is heavy today. Bill Brand was my dear friend and even though we knew this day would be coming, it hurts to say goodbye," Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote Saturday on X.

"Elected office can be a challenge, but being Mayor of Redondo Beach came naturally to Bill. He embodied the South Bay. He was passionate about his work as Mayor, fighting corporate developers to preserve the beach community he loved, but he also made time for surf breaks."

"... Even though his battle with cancer was difficult and painful, Bill never let it stop him from enjoying every minute he could of his life -- whether that was leading the city he loved or spending time with his wife Deirdre," Hahn continued. "I already miss him dearly. May he rest in peace."

Torrance Mayor George K. Chen called Brand "a steadfast champion for local control and worked with the city of Torrance to advocate for regional infrastructure projects."

"He was not only a dedicated public servant but a passionate leader in environmental conservation and coastal preservation."