There are defining moments in life when an individual crosses our path who leaves an indelible yet positive influence in our life. For me, Carl Boronkay was such a person! Meeting Carl for the first time, I was impressed that he took time out of his extraordinarily hectic schedule as MET's General Manager to talk with me --- an administrative assistant [at the time] to Stanley Sprague [GM of MWDOC]. Carl helped me to understand the institutional and political dynamics unique to our CA water industry. He also took great interest in my career development over the years. Carl's kindness, thoughtfulness, and patience as well as his good humor are qualities that I have modeled in my own water career. I am grateful and truly privileged to have met such a wonderful and kind human being. Bless you, Carl!!

Carl was both a friend and mentor for me.  He had a powerful intellect but was also a warm and thoughtful human being with a wry and gentle sense of humor.  I once thought about writing a book about the great persons I have known, and Carl would have been in the book, for his thoughtfulness and intellect, stellar career and accomplishments, and integrity as a lawyer.  Carl was head of the Attorney General's Public Resources section when I was a member of the section, and we worked together on many projects.  He was the first attorney from the Attorney General's office to represent the California Coastal Commission at its regular meetings after the Commission was established by Proposition 20, and Carl appointed me to be his assistant at the meetings.  Carl later encouraged me to apply as General Counsel for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California after he left the General Manager position, and I applied and was appointed to the position.  When Carl argued his case in the Supreme Court, he came to San Francisco so that we could confer about how the case should be presented, and we went through kind of a one-person moot court drill to prepare him for the argument.  Carl and I often attended conferences, and he always liked to go to an ice cream parlor after dinner, both to extend the evening and the conversation, and also because he (as well as I, and our wives) loved ice cream.  My wife Margie especially liked Carl, and thought he was one of the great human beings she had known  I will greatly miss Carl, and wish that I could have had one final conversation with him.  His departure will leave a void.  Rod Walston

My family sends our sincere condolences for your loss. May happy memories of your loved one and the words of  Isaiah 57:15 provide you with much comfort

I first met Carl when he was in the Attorney General's office, and got to know him better during his time in Metropolitan's legal department before he became GM in 1984.  Twice over a span of probably 5 years in the 1980's, I drove him to the Monterey airport after an ACWA Conference, and we talked for a couple of hours over crab sandwiches in the little cafe there.  What I admired most about him was his ability to see significant issues on multiple levels and from multiple perspectives, to find humor in even the toughest scrapes, and to take the time to learn the back-stories of the people and issues he dealt with so that he would have a more complete understanding of those issues and of the people in his life.  To me, he was one of the really good ones, and he will be sorely missed.

Condolences to my big-hearted friend, Sherri. Thank you for sharing your dad with me.

In the 1960's, Carl and I worked to build dams on the Eel river, based on a partnership between Northern and Southern California .  The attached photo was from an International Water Conference in San Diego where Carl accused me of robbing Southern California to build the new Northern California dams! (The theme of the meeting was 30's gangsters) In the 1980's we worked together to create the California Urban Water Council, and its sibling organizations for water conservation. Carl great vision, determination and humor,  and I am proud to have known and worked with him. (He also taught me the word brouhaha)  

OBITUARY

Carl Boronkay

November 16, 1929 – July 5, 2017

Groman Eden Mortuary & Eden Memorial Park

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