Costa Mesa’s first planner passes away

Lolita Harper

William “Bill” Dunn, the man charged with turning the city from

bean fields to a thriving shopping and suburban community near the

coast died last week from health complications, family members said.

Dunn, the city’s first planning director who had a hand in the

development of nearly half the city, died last Tuesday. He was 79.

Dunn was hired as a Costa Mesa planning technician in 1955 and

quickly worked his way up to gain the title of planning director.

During his 27-year tenure with the city, Dunn helped plan South Coast

Plaza, TeWinkle Park, the Costa Mesa Golf Course, Fairview Park,

Harbor Boulevard of Cars and downtown redevelopment. He retired in

1982.

“My dad loved the city of Costa Mesa and all the tremendous people

he had the pleasure of working with,” said son Michael Dunn.

Perry Valantine, the city’s current development services director,

was hired by Dunn at the beginning of his planning career. Valantine

said he especially remembers his mentor’s composed and considerate

attitude.

“He was kind of like your uncle,” Valantine said. “He would just

sit back in his chair, smoke a pipe and sort of rock and talk with

you.”

When he left the second floor of City Hall, Dunn spent his time

fishing, traveling and attending Orange Coast College football and

his grandchildren’s many soccer, football and water polo games as

well as swim and track meets. He never missed a game or meet unless

he was sick or out of town, Michael Dunn said.

Dunn was born in St. Paul, Minn. and enlisted in the Marines at 18

to defend his country during World War II, family said. He spent

eight years in the South Pacific before retiring from the military as

a first sergeant in 1951.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia; sons, William

and Michael; brothers Rudy and Gary; sister Joyce Leister;

grandchildren Matthew, Brian and Lisa Dunn and Geoff Forgie and many

nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A memorial service is planned at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Christ

Lutheran Church, 760 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. In lieu of flowers,

the family requests people take a cue from Dunn and walk on the sunny

side of the street and enjoy the magnificent world.