Two losses for the city

It has been a tough couple of weeks in Huntington Beach. The city

lost two great men on Nov. 18. And USC lost two fanatical fans.

Two men, two memorials, two tremendous outpourings of support from

the community that loved them.

Lynn Fillman, vice president of membership for the Huntington

Beach Chamber of Commerce, died from complications related to liver

disease at the age of 61.

That same day, Bob Barker, a veteran Orange County newsman who

covered Huntington Beach for more than two decades, died after a long

battle with brain cancer at the age of 73.

Both were well-known, well-loved members of the community who each

contributed greatly to Surf City over the years. They also each leave

a legacy of family and friends.

Fillman was a solid, dependable friend to many and a devoted,

loving family man whose cheerful face greeted new business people in

the city for years.

Most will miss his wit, charm, smiles and perhaps even his

Hawaiian shirts. But the city and the chamber has also lost a

tremendous resource and spokesman.

Fillman’s retirement party was scheduled for Tuesday. Instead his

family spread his ashes at sea and held a memorial at the Meadowlark

clubhouse.

Barker had already retired from his high-profile role in the city

in 1997, but remained an active community member.

Barker started at the Daily Pilot in 1970. He remained at the

Pilot and its sister paper, the Huntington Beach Independent, until

1992 before he moved on to be correspondent for the Los Angeles Times

Orange County Edition. After two years at The Times, he came back to

the Independent as a part-time writer.

Bob was the epitome of the hard-working reporter who started the

day early, worked late and was worth every penny the company paid him

and more.

He was greatly admired in the community. Everyday he covered the

community as a reporter he strove to tell the stories that mattered

most to residents in a fair manner.

He was a mentor and friend to many in the news business and the

community.

These losses will be felt in the community for a long time yet to

come, but their legacies will, and should, live on.