Former Lawmaker Imbrecht Eulogized

Former state assemblyman and energy commissioner Charles Imbrecht was eulogized Saturday morning at Trinity Lutheran Church--the same church where he was baptized, confirmed and married.

More than 200 people gathered for the memorial service in the wood church to pay tribute to a man some mourners credited with a razor sharp intellect and a get-things-done approach to politics.

On Tuesday, Imbrecht, whose primary home was in Sacramento, was found dead at his Pasadena apartment. Family members, who reside in the capital, said he died of a heart attack. Imbrecht was 50.

The service drew at least nine classmates from his 1967 graduating class at Ventura High School, fellow law school graduates and a host of state and local community leaders who praised Imbrecht’s political acumen and contributions to the community.

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) said he was a close friend of “Chuck” and had spoken with him just before the holidays.

“I’ve never had greater respect for someone’s intelligence and political savvy,” Gallegly said. “It truly is a tragedy for someone with all that ability to have such a short life. But look at what he did in his 50 years, more than other people could do in a much longer life.”

Imbrecht was known for his role in helping deregulate the electrical services industry and guiding California toward development of alternative energy sources for electricity production.

Imbrecht was also credited with helping the state cut its use of petroleum-generated electricity from more than 50% to less than 1% by encouraging use of environmentally friendly alternatives, including sun, wind and steam.

Many mourners said Imbrecht never forgot his roots and helped Ventura with local projects that they said often went largely unnoticed by the public.

Saturday’s hourlong ceremony featured a presentation by Imbrecht’s eldest daughter, Erica, 12, who read her father’s commencement speech delivered when he was valedictorian at Ventura High.

“Ours is a restless . . . vibrant generation,” Charles Imbrecht wrote. “We look at the realities of our world, compare them to our dreams and bring them both into perspective.”

Many praised the speech and his daughter’s presentation.

“Charles was always an incredible orator and his daughter is following right in his footsteps,” said Rick Imbrecht, a first cousin of Charles Imbrecht.

“When I heard that speech I thought how profound it was someone could have such insight at his age,” said Janet Farr Campbell, a classmate who heard him deliver it in high school.

“Listening to it I just reflected on how accurately Chuck predicted things,” said Jim Prosser, a Ventura attorney and 1967 classmate. “In retrospect it was prophetic--he was predicting his own life.”

Among the friends and supporters were political leaders such as former Congressman Robert J. Lagomarsino, whom Imbrecht considered his mentor; Ventura Councilman Jim Monahan, Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks).

After the service, mourners gathered outside the church to reminisce about Imbrecht.

Some acknowledged Imbrecht’s battle with alcohol.

In 1997, Imbrecht pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of drunk driving and possession of marijuana and served a month in jail.

Imbrecht attended Occidental College and received his law degree from Loyola University.

Burial was private.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Alida Bergseid Imbrecht; daughters Erica and Emily of Sacramento, and his mother, Hazel of Ventura.

Donations may be made to the Imbrecht Endowment Fund for Higher Education at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ventura and the Ventura County Museum of History and Art.