LAKE COUNTY — Local radio host Stephen Elias died unexpectedly from a heart attack on Dec. 29 at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of public and community assistance.
Andy Weiss, director of operations at KPFZ 88.1, brought Elias on board to the radio station more than 10 years ago after putting out a request for new on-air talent. Weiss said the two men had not met previously and at first did not get along.
“He was very opinionated and I was, too,” Weiss said. “We were getting to know each other in the arena of ?my idea is better than yours.””
He said the two made peace after a longer-than-expected 14-hour roundtrip drive to San Francisco to watch a Giants game.
“We talked all that out and it changed our relationship,” Weiss said. “We worked together very well afterwards. Radio was more important than our own personal opinion on things.”
Elias, along with his wife of 35 years, Catherine, hosted three programs on KPFZ: “Lake County Magazine,” “Voices of Lake County” and “Saturday Salon.”
Weiss said the programs were very community oriented and featured many local leaders and creative people, including Sheriff Frank Rivero who appeared every other Friday on the “Voices” show, a feature that Weiss said will continue without Elias.
“Radio came late in his life,” Weiss said. “He was an accomplished man. Radio was his chance to share his knowledge for the last 10 years.”
Elias was a bankruptcy attorney all his life. He became a writer for Nolo Publishing, where he wrote many books, including one that aided people in filing for bankruptcy without an attorney. He started a business with his wife and son, Rubin, called Affordable Attorney Advice, which provided legal bankruptcy advice for a flat $100 fee.
The business was a part of the National Bankruptcy Law Project, another aid Elias started with his wife for those to file for bankruptcy without an attorney.
Rubin said his father”s death came just a week after the two took a trip to Guatemala. “It was a complete surprise,” he said, adding that his father was in relatively good health and saw a doctor regularly.
Rubin said he has been helping his mother pick up the pieces of their business and helping her out from his home in Portland, Ore. “She”s doing the best she can,” he said.
He said the family is supporting her in this difficult time. A private memorial service was held Saturday at Chapel of the Lakes. Rubin called it beautiful and well-attended.
Weiss said he is in the midst of planning a public memorial service for Elias, which will be held at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport on Jan. 21. A time is still being worked out.
Check KPFZ”s website at www.kpfz.org in the next few days for finalized details. Rubin said the family is looking forward to the public memorial service.
Elias is survived by his wife, two children, three step-children and numerous grandchildren.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
