Lawmaker mourned

Hundreds attend funeral for Robert E. Badham, who suffered a heart attack last Friday.NEWPORT BEACH -- The many years of service Robert E. Badham gave to the city as its representative at the state and federal levels were remembered by hundreds of mourners who came to his funeral Wednesday.

Badham died Friday at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian after a heart attack. He was 76.

A longtime Balboa Island resident, Badham served in the state Assembly from 1963 to 1977 and in Congress from 1977 to 1989.

“I thought he was the consummate representative for the Newport Beach area,” said Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector John Moorlach after the service at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church.

Badham was a professional while in office, but he knew when it was time to gracefully retire and let new talent emerge, Moorlach said.

“I knew Bob as someone who has this incredible legacy of what followed -- [former Rep.] Chris Cox, [Assemblyman] Chuck DeVore, all these incredible people that blossomed and are contributing to the community as a whole.”

Badham’s son Bill -- one of his five children -- said at the service his father appreciated the different qualities each of his children exhibited -- patriotism, self-reliance, artistic beauty.

“He saw in those traits a reflection of who he was, and that, I feel convinced, more than any political accomplishment or accolade, was to have succeeded,” Bill Badham said.

Others recalled his sense of humor. Bill Manning, a friend of 68 years, said Badham did a great impression of Johnny Carson.

Longtime friend Byron Tarnutzer described Badham as “a lot of fun, very responsible.” The two met when Badham worked in his family’s hardware business, and they had adjacent offices.

“He had the ability to simplify complicated issues,” said Tarnutzer, adding that Badham will be remembered for his service to his country.

“I just think we were all so proud of him serving our country and our state as a congressman,” agreed Mary Blake, a Newport Beach resident and longtime friend of the Badham family.

He held a number of high-level positions on congressional committees, she said, adding, “He was a great credit to Orange County and to the people he served.”

20051027iozoeaknDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Robert E. Badham is carried down the aisle following Wednesday’s service at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Corona Del Mar. 20051027iozoexknDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Anne Badham, right, is comforted by a friend following the memorial service for her husband Robert Badham on Wednesday.