Riverside City History
People Who Have Made A Difference: Loo Rodeberg

Alderman and community leader Loo Rodeberg became one of Riverside's most influential residents. Rodeberg grew up in a family of eight children during the depression. Even though times were tough, the family took pride in their home and community-values that Loo brought with her to Riverside in 1957. After moving here, Rodeberg saw that there were things she would like to change. She sought out others in the community who had the same dream and together these residents set out to make Riverside a better place to live. The result was the Pride and Progress Committee.

At the time Rodeberg served on the Board of Alderman, there were few women involved in politics. Her unique perspective was a major contribution to the city and she was a hard-working advocate for her constituents. Loo's commitment to the city and occasional "challenges" sometimes brought humorous results.

During the early Pride and Progress efforts, proponents were aware that Riverside did not have a stellar reputation in the community. Much of their work was in fact geared to improve the appearance and reputation of a city that was intent on improving itself. But at one point, Kansas City Star writer Rich Hood was blamed for material that was less than complementary. Rodeberg, always one to go to the source, strode into the Star offices and was quoted by some as labeling Hood a "fink." That meeting did eventually end on a positive note.

Hood, who went on to become a key editor for the publication, took a second look at the community and began to note the improvements which were taking place. And when time came for Rodeberg to retire from the Board of Aldermen, Hood attended her retirement party wearing a T-shirt printed with "Star Fink." Rodeberg passed away in 1997, but she would be very proud of the improvements that have continued in Riverside, a community that she fought long and hard to better.

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