Ben Dorgelo; Area Community Leader

AGOURA HILLS — Ben Dorgelo, a local community leader who fought to curb development in the 1970s, died Wednesday from brain cancer. He was 64.

Dorgelo was known for his efforts to ensure a high quality of life for the region, including adequate water supplies, sewage treatment facilities and roads. He began his efforts at a time when the area was unincorporated.

“He was very concerned about the community,” said Darlene McBane, a former mayor and City Council member of Agoura Hills. “I think he did an excellent job. He was intelligent and informed in the subject matter and helped pave the way for future progress in our area for the water development.”

Dorgelo served as president of the Lake Lindero Community Assn., and as a representative to the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. He eventually was elected to the water board, where he served for eight years.

“He was involved in building a strong foundation for the district where we’ve been recognized statewide and nationwide for our facilities and their operation,” said Glen Peterson, a member of the water board and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The dramatic growth of the area at the time posed a challenge to provide adequate services for the community, said Fran Pavley, the first mayor of Agoura Hills, who served from 1982 to 1997.

Dorgelo was employed in the advertising department of the Los Angeles Times for nearly 29 years.

“He was a wonderful man to work for,” said Robin Surber, a saleswoman who worked with Dorgelo for 15 years in the San Fernando Valley Edition offices.

Dorgelo was born Sept. 7, 1934, in the Netherlands. When he was 21, he immigrated to Edmonton, Canada, to look for business opportunities. He married in 1962 and moved to the Los Angeles area one year later, when he got a job with The Times.

The job was supposed to be temporary, but Dorgelo stayed there until his retirement in 1991.

Dorgelo and his family moved to Agoura in 1967.

“He loved the area,” said his wife, Ann Dorgelo. “He was a great hiker. He would just jump over his back fence and climb to Simi Peak.”

Dorgelo is also survived by three daughters, Kathrin Ann Smith, Margrit Ann Dorgelo and Cristin Ann Dorgelo, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village.