Sergio Roberto Klor de Alva's Obituary
Tribute Sergio Klor de Alva
In the early morning hours of April 26, 2016, Sergio Klor de Alva was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 1 on the California coast. He was twenty-four years old.
Sergio was born in Princeton, New Jersey on February 4, 1992, the beloved child of Julie Goodson Lawes and Jorge Klor de Alva. He came into the world at ten in the morning, and never slowed down for a moment. From the very start, his huge dark eyes lit up with excitement at the world around him. Smart and inquisitive and demanding at all stages of his life, Sergio had a gift for bringing laughter into a room. He made friends wherever he went, from the grade-school playground to basketball courts in the heart of Oakland. Some people collect coins or stamps—Sergio collected good, true friends whom he loved with all his heart. He inspired the people around him to remain engaged in the political process, reminded them of their duty to contribute to the world and to become better human beings. He also made them laugh.
Sergio graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School in 2010. Knowing that he wanted to make a difference, Sergio graduated from UC Santa Cruz with honors in 2014, with a combined bachelor’s degree in Latin American & Latino Studies/Sociology and Politics, and immediately put his education to use in the public sector. He served as a Congressional Intern in the Office of Congressman Sam Farr, and went on to work on numerous political campaigns in the Bay Area: Mike Honda for Congress, Dave Cortese for Mayor (San Jose), Julie Christensen for Supervisor (San Francisco), and most recently, Joel Engardio for Supervisor (San Francisco) and Cesar Zepeda for City Council (Richmond). He was excited to be working with the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee and was active in a number of initiatives close to his heart: the California Clean Money Campaign, Organizing for Action for healthcare access, and others. He served with the Robert F. Kennedy Young Democrats, the Latinos Unidos Democratic Club, and the East Bay Young Democrats.
Sergio had the rare combination of will, drive, perception – and humor – that can truly change the world. He believed that one person could make a difference, and so he devoted himself to being that person, pursuing the causes he most believed in.
We are brokenhearted at the loss of our beloved son, nephew, grandson, and friend. The world is empty without Sergio, but it is better because he was here.
In order to help Sergio to fulfill his dreams to better the world, we have established a foundation called “In the Interest of Justice: Live your Dream Sergio” and invite you explore this with us.
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