In Memoriam: Eddie Rudolph Dillard (1947-2023)

Eddie Dillard by Paul Tillman-Smith On Dec. 21, 2023, peacefully, the angels carried Eddie Rudolph Dillard away as he was awakened to eternal life in his home in Sacramento, California, after a fearless battle with several medical complications. Eddie was 76 years old. Born Sept. 27, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Ben Smith and Annie Lee Holmes-Dillard, Eddie’s journey was one of courage, determination and unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion. After honorably serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, he channeled his leadership into academics, earning an A.A. from Oakland’s Merritt College before becoming one of only four Black students to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1977 with a B.A. in Economics.& Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers: Bertha, Ada, Floyd, Elijah “Slim,” William “Chi,” Doug, Roger and Nathaniel. His memory will forever be held in the hearts of those he leaves behind. He is survived by his sister Lillie Yancey; a daughter Frances Bost in Germany along with his three sons, Kevien, Jason (Damia) and Jesse (Stephanie) Dillard. Eddie is also survived by eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Eddie’s passion...