Dear Casey - I am hoping for you, days full of peace, rest and happiness with your lovely family. I will be sending you thoughts of kindness, generosity, a gentle voice and a smile full of joy. All of these things come to mind when I remember you and the hours and days that I spent at your loving house. I attribute much of my sense of justice and political involvement to the concepts and role modeling I was lucky enough to experience with you. I hold in my memory your humble and sincere chuckle, the joy and pride you found in your amazing daughters, the amazing good nature of all of your interactions with us, in the pool, at the park, in your living room or kitchen. I will think of you fondly EVERY time I hear Bruce Springsteen or think of my charmed childhood. I feel very lucky to have had you as a role model and only hope that I can and do pass along, to my boys here on this side of the globe, a few of the incredible qualities you gifted me by simply being a kind and loving adult in my life. Thank you. Thank you for who you are and all that you have done, even in the most mundane of times. With love and best wishes, from the awkward little girl next door.
Amy Johnson

Anne,
I think that it comes from my appreciation of the impact of childhood experiences... of unintentional influence... of people’s actions being louder than their words. I do treasure all the hours I spent with your family, the foundation of which was built on Casey’s love for you and your girls. I might not have picked Casey out as incredibly influential in my life before today either, but it’s definitely what came to me (auto-correct mistakes and missing punctuation and all) as I saw your news this morning. And it’s all true. Thank you for sharing my thoughts with your family. I’ve been teary all day myself and will continue sending good thoughts and wishes your way in the coming days. ❤️
Amy Johnson

It is an honor to know Casey. Few people put their values into action the way he does. Casey contributed more good for more people than anyone else I can think of. His work advocating for the poor and unheard people was inspirational, and as an ALJ he was the best combination of intelligent and compassionate. He was known for never being afraid to go the extra step to do what is right. We miss him at work. 
Karlen Harmison

Dear Casey,

Thanks for the heartwarming message. Our families share many good memories and smiles with all the great times we shared as our daughters grew up together. The McKeevers will always have a place in our hearts and memories. I think of you when I play music by Springsteen, Patty Scialfa (the great CD of hers you gave Diane), Midnight Oil, and other groups you introduced me to. Your music collection is second to none! Now we can listen to all that great music anytime on Spotify!

You're are an exceptional and humane person who spent your career protecting the needy and vulnerable and advocating on their behalf for a fair shake in the face of discriminatory and bigoted public policies and unfair budget cuts. You used your keen intelligence, compassion, and hard-earned education to improve society. You leave a lasting legacy. I am proud to have called you a friend, a person I admire.

Rest easy, Casey, knowing the Dodgers won it all last year and Biden/Harris are now running the country.

I'll see you one day on the other side, and I'll enjoy listening to music again with you and talking baseball. 

With love and respect.

Your friend,

David Wilkinson

Dear Anne,

Thank you so much for your email from last night, for your thoughtfulness in reaching out to me during this hardest of time for you and your family. I am utterly bereft by the news of Casey’s passing, just gutted. And no, not TMI, Casey meant and always will mean so much to me, and as his friend I do want to know of his final passage, including his final rally to tell you and your family he loved you. 

I loved my friendship with Casey, and I loved Casey so much. We usually went to Bud’s near the Capitol for our lunches where we would talk about work, family and sports...the usual. He was a great partner for our work, really, really cared about the policies he worked on. He didn’t care about the politics except how to get things done. He helped so many Californians with his work on CalFresh, CalWorks and many other human services issues – we were so lucky for him. I missed him so much when he left – he was my rock and my compass. 

But as much as we worked together, what he talked most about was his family. He talked about you and his life with you and the girls.  I do remember meeting Amy, I think it was one of the times we were not at Bud’s, but grabbing coffee. He talked about how you went through seminary and began your ministry in the Episcopalian church. He talked about your daughters all the time and eventually grandchildren, and was SO proud of them, really proud of all of you. We talked about sports, baseball, just the everyday things we lived and enjoyed. He was kind, smart and funny. He was my dear friend who was my anchor in our crazy world of politics.

Kathy Mossburg

On behalf of myself and our Yolo County Rainbow Coalition
group from many years ago (31?),
the Yolo County ACLU took our case: the First case they had ever taken on!

When we were pushed off the tabling area outside the grocery store and Mall, we had to call a cool attorney Casey McKeever, we knew in Woodland
(his wife was a well-loved teacher there, too). Turned out he was part of the (volunteer) ACLU group.

And Casey got us a team of about 4 ACLU lawyers, who fought our case
I felt we had a strong case. Since I was coordinating the Voter Reg volunteers for Woodland, Davis, & West Sacramento, I'd read all the details of public tabling rights from the State Sec. of State's office before we started registering voters a few months before. (Brother) Dan kept a database for us of the registered voters -to help us reach out to them to get and and Vote as well.

And we had a feeling that some people, esp. in conservative areas, would have problems with an African American Presidential candidate (NEW in those days! : - ) and might complain about the outreach, even if we were careful and polite...! Helped to have a friendly supportive lawyer I could call - Casey made sure to give me his number to have when tabling...

Spoiler alert: : - ) Jackson did not win the Presidency, though he won quite a few state primaries, but an interesting guy named Barack Obama Did win 2 Decades later.

Further, the point was to help build a progressive movement for housing, health care, peace, justice, and pro-diversity, and some of that was a success, too.
Andy Faletti

As a second cousin to Casey, I wish to share some memories of Casey and his family during the 1950's when they visited the Villalba family in Santa Barbara.

In September 2020, Casey contacted me via phone. My last contact with Casey was when I visited his office in Sacramento while I was in Sacramento on business in the early 1990's.

During several 2020 and early 2021 phone conversations, emails and text messages with Casey, he informed me of his illness. I was moved by his courage, faith and strength on how he was dealing with a terminal illness. He also spoke lovingly how proud he was of his entire family. Very inspirational for me! Casey also wanted to talk about the Villalba side of the family.

The refrain, "The McKeever's are coming" was from my grandmother, Bertha (Nana) Villalba, married to my grandfather, Frank C. Villalba. Bertha was the aunt of Casey's mother, Evadne (Eve). My grandmother would alert family members that the McKeevers's were coming to Santa Barbara from Long Beach to visit. Alerted were the three children of my grandparents, Frank P. (my father), Lorraine and Cloe (my aunts) who were Eve's cousin's. Also, my grandmother's alerted her sisters, Clara, Cloetilda (Tillie) and Albertina who lived in LA These enjoyable visits always ended with my grandparents famous BBQ's.

The McKeever's always brought such fun, loving and positive energy.. I remember.the high energy and inquisitive nature of Eve, so interested in everyone's lives. Bob was the respectful, kind and quiet World War II veteran with Kelly being well mannered (maybe not happy to be there, ha!) and Casey the same respectful manners but with a pure shyness and reserve as a young boy.

I mentioned to Casey two vivid memories I had when his father Bob had two malaria attacks during two visits. I remember Bob's clothes being soaked with sweat with Eve and my grandmother putting Bob into bed. After sharing this with Casey, I proceeded to help Casey with his questions on his Dad's military separation, discharge documents as my last career was Director of the Veterans Services Department for Contra Costa County (retired 2008) and still assisting Veterans and their families hopefully until my last breath.

Bob McKeever was a true, humble, Army Officer combat veteran hero who served in the Pacific theater during WW II. I have enjoyed recent phone conversations with Anne and Eve, 100 years young, and still as I remember her. I look forward to meeting Casey's wonderful family in the future.

Casey was such an accomplished man and his compassion and desire to be of service to others was beyond measure.. Few have the professional success along the personal and family success as Casey.

RIP Casey!

Your cousin,

Gary D. Villalba

I am sad to report that Casey McKeever died in Woodland, California on Feb. 4, 2021 after a year long battle with lung cancer. Throughout his legal career, Casey was committed to representing California’s poor and underserved communities. He was the managing attorney of Legal Services of Northern California (1977-83) and the directing attorney for the Western Center on Law and Poverty (1983-2003). He later served as Chief Consultant to the California Assembly Committee on Human Services and as an Administrative Law Judge for California’s Department of Social Services. Prior to his retirement in 2018, Casey had received many awards, including recognition from the California State Bar. (A partner of mine once described Casey as “one of the most consequential public interest lawyers in California.”)
Casey was a humble and compassionate soul. He is survived by his wife, Anne Dryden McKeever, their two daughters and four grandchildren. 
Tom Wilson for Stanford Lawyer

For over two decades, Casey McKeever was one of our closest and dearest partners. Casey recently passed away after a battle with cancer. While at the Western Center on Law on Poverty, Casey was an intelligent and fierce advocate for low-income Californians. In the 1990s, he battled against the racist and inequitable policies of then-Governor Pete Wilson and an often hostile legislature. In the 2000s, we had the pleasure of working with Casey on a number of successful campaigns, most notably the effort to allow Food Stamp (now CalFresh) recipients to get help with food without having to sell the reliable car that got them to work. After Casey left the Western Center, we worked with him in his next role with the Assembly Human Services where he continued to positively impact anti-hunger legislation.

In 2008, we honored Casey with a "Lifetime Achievement" Stampy Award. This award, now called a "Freshy," honors efforts to improve our largest anti-hunger program. Casey's award was well deserved as he made the lives of low-income Californians better through his own life. As we celebrate Casey's life, we send our condolences to the McKeever Family.
Nourish California

Anne,

Donna and I were saddened to learn of Casey’s death and send our best wishes to you and your family.

Last week I saw Amy’s FB post about her father and I immediately fired off an email to Lanny for confirmation of Casey’s passing. After Lanny sent me a short (but typically eloquent) reply, I have been thinking about Casey. 

Casey was my “moot court” partner in law school. I remember we both were a bit nervous during our first “appellate” argument in front of a trio of judges/Stanford professors. I can’t remember the subject of legal dispute we had been required to brief and argue. I do recall we agreed that Casey would handle the thornier legal questions and I would look for an opportunity to inject some humor into our presentation. Neither Casey’s smarts nor my humor carried the day. The winning team was anchored by a female classmate who had been a journalist for several years at NPR before law school. In her prior profession she’d interviewed Henry Kissinger. Law school professors in judicial robes did not rattle her.

Looking back, Casey was one of my closest friends in law school.  His guitar skills were a revelation. He must have mentioned his Berkeley girlfriend (you) but I do remember his surprise that I had no appreciation for the greatness of Jackson Browne nor any clue as to the actual identity of “the Boss.” We had a difference of opinion regarding the best California baseball team. I was intrigued by (and envious of) the work he did NLG’s “Wounded Knee” project in South Dakota.  (I spent my summer in 1975 doing legal research for a corporate law firm in LA.) When we graduated, I went into a federal clerkship and then to four decades at MoFo, while Casey went to work for the LSC.

I was thrilled to learn that Casey was marrying the sister of one of my closest friends (viz, your brother). I remember attending Lanny and Zumi’s “American wedding” in Woodland and Casey gave me a tour of his office. 

As you know, throughout his legal career Casey was devoted to the provision of legal services to underserved communities. A few years ago, I attended a State Bar function in which the Legal Services Division was honoring my partner, Jack London, as “Lawyer of the Year.” I noticed that the written program listed Casey as a prior recipient of the same award. My partner responded: “Casey McKeever is one of most important legal services attorneys in California” and added that Casey was “an important voice in Sacramento.” He seemed surprised I knew such a luminary.
Tom Wilson

Thanks so much, Austin! Wow - I didn't know he was your father-in-law. Yes, I knew he worked for LSNC. I met him when he was an ALJ; I appeared in front of him several times at CDSS hearings. He was always fair, asked great questions, and showed compassion toward our clients. Our Executive Director, Gary Smith, sent out an email informing staff of Judge McKeever's passing. He is missed in the advocate community!
Jenni Gomez

Hi Anne, I just wanted to share with you that the work your husband did lives on in me. I grew up in Yolo County. Through unfortunately decisions, I was a young single mother. That was 20 years ago. Through calworks and all of the advocacy of people like Casey I was able to go back to school while on calworks. I’ve been an oncology nurse at UCD medical center for 13 years now. Able to support myself financially but always knowing I’m giving back every time I go to work. I can’t say thank you enough and how much I appreciated this opportunity. Praying for healing for you and your family.
Melissa Johnson

It was with a heavy heart that I and my family received the news of Casey’s passing. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to you and your entire family on the loss of a wonderful husband, an adoring father and grandfather and one of the most caring, kind, intelligent and compassionate human beings I have ever met and with whom I had the privilege to work.

Casey earned the reputation early in his career for being an effective advocate on behalf of those in California who could not afford the services of an attorney. He brought his Stanford legal education and his brilliant legal mind and put it to work in a lifelong commitment of service as an advocate of those in our state that could not afford the services of an attorney, or who otherwise did have a voice in government decisions affecting their lives. I want to share a few personal memories of Casey which attest to the impact he had throughout his long and exemplary legal career working on behalf of serving the interests of the poor and vulnerable populations of California.

I first met Casey in 1981 when he was the manager of the Woodland office of the Legal Services of Northern California. I had just moved from out of state (to follow my wife Elizabeth) from working as a civil rights attorney in Washington, D.C. and also as an assistant public defender in New Mexico. I applied for a staff attorney opening in the LSNC Woodland office. Casey hired me, letting me know that my civil rights and trial experience would be a good fit given the particular cases Casey had going at the time in Yolo county. This was the beginning of a working relationship and more importantly, a lifelong friendship. (I fondly remember how both of you made me feel welcomed to Woodland and would have me over for dinner…still remember your delicious vegetarian lasagna). That friendship grew throughout the years augmented by the fact that we mutually were growing our families in Woodland. Our children especially Mari and Katie developed their own friendships as they shared schools and life experiences that come from competitive sports. Over the years whenever Casey and I had a chance to chat, whether in the halls of the Capitol, in the State Hearings Office, or when we ran into each other as we were on our walks around town, we would always catch up on each other’s families. Casey always loved to talk about you and how the ministry was going, and how Katie & Amy were doing, and in recent years, the grandkids. He was so proud of all of you.

During the years I worked with Casey at LSNC, I was privileged to witness the impact of his litigation and advocacy, which included settling several federal class actions on behalf of women, Latinos and African Americans that began the important process of dismantling discriminatory employment practices in Yolo County, the City of Woodland and UC Davis. Casey spearheaded legal challenges to Yolo County’s General Assistance (GA) Program which resulted in increases to the GA payments to the poorest individuals residing in the county. Casey also was very effective in engaging agencies such as the Yolo County Housing Authority and the Department of Social Services in addressing and resolving questionable policies or practices before they became operative. Casey instituted the development of Self-Help packets to assist clients facing eviction or providing information to the community on the full range of public benefits. He always supported my and the staff initiatives to strengthen and expand the advocacy services provided to all sectors of Yolo County’s diverse and vulnerable populations including the homeless, farmworkers, the elderly, children, and immigrants.

When Casey left LSNC to begin his exemplary career with the Western Center on Law & Poverty as a policy and legislative advocate, he had mentored and prepared me to take over the reins of the Woodland office of LSNC, and for that I have always remained grateful. His contribution to my development played a big part in my subsequent success as a legal services and civil rights attorney with LSNC, the Mexican American Legal & Educational Defense Fund and the National Housing Law Project.

Casey went on to be the passionate and brilliant advocate providing an effective voice to those vulnerable populations in our state that are not always represented in the world of policy decision-making. He continued that legacy of ensuring that the perspective of those voices representing the policy and budgetary interests of the poor were also included in his role as chief consultant with the California State Assembly Committee on Human Services.

Our legal career paths crossed again in 2007. At that time, I was the Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) when Casey approached me and shared that he was thinking about a career change and asked me what I thought about the possibility of him becoming an ALJ. I was thrilled and I told him that given his 30 years of experience that he would be the most qualified candidate ever to serve as an ALJ. Casey was already an expert on the vast range of government programs for which we provide administrative fair hearings to any applicant or recipient who is appealing a denial or termination of public benefits. Casey became one the most respected and admired ALJs in the entire division, always going above and beyond to meet the Hearings Division mission of providing timely and legally correct decisions. Casey never had a late hearing decision. Most importantly, he brought those traits that always made him the wonderful human being he was, he always treated the appellants and all hearing participants before him with dignity and respect, kindness and understanding.

His tireless dedication to his work as an ALJ meant that at the end of a workday many of his written decisions would correct a factually and/or legally erroneous eligibility determination. His decisions truly made a difference to many vulnerable individual Californians. To the person already homeless or about to become homeless, his decision correcting the county’s CalWork’s mistake meant there would be money to pay rent. His decision correcting a county mistake regarding CalFresh food stamps meant there would be food on the table to feed a hungry family. His decision correcting a Department of Healthcare Services Medi-Cal mistake meant that mental health and/or physical illness and pain would be alleviated because Medi-Cal benefits would be available to cover treatment and medicines. His decision correcting a county’s mistake denying or drastically reducing In Home Support Services (IHSS) hours or protective supervision, meant that the disabled person could remain in their own home and avoid being placed in an institution. Casey made a difference in the lives of all the real human beings behind each and every one of these decisions, and thereby made a difference in all our lives.

Sharing a snapshot of some of my most cherished memories of Casey has helped bring peace and comfort as I grieve his loss. In some small way, I hope that they bring you comfort too. My family will make a contribution to both the Western Center on Law & Poverty and Yolo Hospice in Casey’s memory.

Rest in Peace, my friend.



Manuel A. Romero

Thought about my former colleague just yesterday as I brainstormed with my new team ways in which we could potentially increase general relief payments. What an immense loss...Rest in Power Casey.
Holly J. Mitchell

I was inspired by and learned so much from Casey, especially in the 90’s, when I first ventured to Sacramento. He was incredibly patient, helpful, grounded and powerful in his advocacy. He made life better - and helped so many others do better.
Tanya Broder

Casey was a voice for the voiceless in a time when that was not valued.
Christian Griffith

Casey was a fierce advocate but also practical and wise. After he retired, the senate appointed him to the First 5 commission. We wanted to put his experience and smarts to work for kids. And he delivered!
David Panush

I worked with Casey for 15 years at WCLP, starting when I was a baby lawyer in 1989. I was in the LA office but we were on the phone or on email regularly and often sat together at those sometimes interminable WCLP retreats. He was a wonderful colleague and mentor, so smart and so dedicated and so committed to making the system more humane. I loved working with him and I appreciated so many things we shared, not least a sense of humor about some of the odder aspects of state bureaucracy. It was a privilege to work with him.
Clare Pastore

Casey always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. He was a true selfless advocate for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves.
Donita Sebia Stromgren

I remember him vividly in the Capitol as a warrior for low income people and always willing to teach others how to navigate the law and the politics to get something done. His work continues with you Michael Herald Jessica Bartholow and so many others...my condolences
Aimee Durfee

I first met Casey when he was with the Assembly Human Services Committee and I was with the Assembly Aging & Long-Term Care Committee.. he was a wise soul with a heart of gold. He was absolutely the definition of a public servant.
Allison Ruff-Schuurman

Casey was always a fighter for the most vulnerable and marginalized. He was also so genuine and would always lend an ear and strategize with you on the spot.
Jeannette Zanipatin

What a huge and devastating loss. Casey was one of my first and longest standing mentors in California - I have a flood of memories of working together on wins to end drug felon rules and SSI cash out and so much more, Rest in power, Casey McKeever
Kim McCoy Wade

Casey was my mentor as well. I was working for former Assemblyman Lloyd Connelly (now Superior Court Judge Connelly) when we battled the devastating welfare cuts of 1991-1992 under the Pete Wilson Administration. Casey was our North Star during those epic battles and he remained so for my entire career. I will miss our lunches and his great advice. Always. Thank you, Nora O'Brien, for bringing this to my attention. I am in tears. Casey was an amazing advocate for those who had nothing. Thank God he brought up a whole new generation of amazing advocates to carry on. They continue to repair the safety net for our most needy residents. What a legacy!
Kathryn Dresslar

I learned so much policy and budget tactics and approaches from him that it made me a better advocate.
Nora O'Brien

He fought for the lives of those who had a right to dream, but were systemically discriminated against during such crucial times for our State. I hope that he was heartened by some of the reversals of bad policies in recent years. This is a huge loss, not just for his family and the Capitol community, but for millions of Californians who will never know his name.
Sally Lieber

He did so much for so many. A founding board member of what is now the CA Budget and Policy Center, he was my board member-boss for many years. Always a source of wise counsel.
Jean Ross

I enjoyed working with Casey at WCLP and at DSS and learned so much from him, I miss his smile and his warmth and his passionate leadership, and am so saddened for Casey and his family.
Katie Murphy

Dear Amy, I'm sending deep sympathy on your loss of your father. Casey was one of the most highly principled persons I ever met. This was true in his career as an advocate for the poor, and in his family life as a devoted and loving father and grandfather. You were so good to join your sister and your mother in being with your father during his last days. There was so much else you did in previous months and years to brighten your parents' lives. You and many others must miss your father greatly. I send condolences and love.
Laurence M. Dryden

Casey was always a very positive spirit in the capitol - smart, practical, and a fierce advocate for the most needy. We need him and his kind now more than ever and he’ll be missed and remembered.
David Panush

He was a wonderful person and a gifted advocate. He treated everyone with great respect and I appreciated this when I was a young senate staffer learning the ropes. My heart goes out to you and your family. This is a big loss.
Heidy Kellison

Casey was my mentor, my big brother and ultimately my friend. To think I can’t hang out with him and laugh our asses off at the absurdities of life makes me very sad. He was such a warrior for poor folks and took on some really bad people when it wasn’t popular to do so. But what makes me saddest is he won’t get to spend time with his grandkids which he treasured so much. My heart goes out to his family.
Michael Herald

Your father was a remarkable man, Amy. I know you know this. He did so much good work in the world and he was such a loving father and grandfather. I know his absence will leave a hole in your lives and your in your family. I'm so, so sorry.
Renee Crevelli

His kindness and deep compassion will never be forgotten. He was beloved and respected. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Kate Karpilow

So sorry for your loss! Your dad and I were close friends in high school, and we drove to the 50th reunion together. We kept in contact through FB. He was a wonderful influence in the world. May his memory be a blessing to you!
Jerry Weil

A wonderful man and a friend for 43 years. I would never have achieved what I have without his early mentoring and support. Anne, when you are able please contact me about a planned legislative tribute. God bless.
Jim Gross