Longtime Santa Clara County Leader Rod Diridon Dies at 87

Diridon was known as the 'father of Silicon Valley's transportation system' after decades of public service.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:05am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a vintage train conductor's hat repeated in a grid, conceptually representing the influential work of Rod Diridon in developing Silicon Valley's public transportation system.The vibrant visual legacy of a transportation trailblazer who shaped Silicon Valley's modern transit network.San Jose Today

Rod Diridon, a former 20-year member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, passed away at the age of 87. Diridon was considered the driving force behind the development of Silicon Valley's modern transit system, including campaigning for the county's first half-cent sales tax for transit, leading the creation of VTA's light-rail system, and chairing the study that led to Caltrain commuter service. He continued working on transportation models and raising awareness about climate change in his later years.

Why it matters

Diridon's legacy as a transportation visionary and longtime public servant had a profound impact on how people get around Silicon Valley. His work over decades helped establish the region's extensive public transit network, which continues to evolve and expand today.

The details

Diridon, who had survived throat cancer, developed sepsis following a radiation treatment in January and had been hospitalized for the past two weeks before his passing. He served two combat tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy and was known for his lifelong passion for trains, having worked as a railroad brakeman and fireman earlier in his career. Diridon was first elected to the Saratoga City Council at age 32 in 1971 and then became the youngest person elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, where he served for 20 years. During his tenure, he fought to save the historic Cahill Street train station after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and the station was later renamed in his honor.

  • Diridon was first elected to the Saratoga City Council in 1971 at the age of 32.
  • Diridon was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 1974, becoming the youngest person to serve on the board.
  • Diridon served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for 20 years, from 1974 to 1994.
  • The Cahill Street train station was renamed the Diridon Station after Diridon retired from the Board of Supervisors in 1994.
  • Diridon passed away on Friday, April 3, 2026 at the age of 87.

The players

Rod Diridon

A 20-year member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors who was considered the 'father of Silicon Valley's transportation system' for his work campaigning for transit funding, creating the VTA light-rail system, and establishing Caltrain commuter service.

Gloria Duffy

Diridon's wife since 2001, who is the CEO of the Commonwealth Club.

Ken Yeager

A former Santa Clara County Supervisor who said Diridon was an important voice in shifting the board to be more liberal starting in the 1970s.

Karen Philbrick

Diridon's successor as executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University.

Claude Diridon

Diridon's father, who worked in the railroad business in Dunsmuir when Rod was a boy and changed the family name from Diridoni due to bigotry in the industry.

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What they’re saying

“When you think of all the issues from healthcare to county parks and quality of air — that all started with Rod. And you can't undervalue what he did for transportation.”

— Ken Yeager, Former Santa Clara County Supervisor

“There's no other name over the past 50 years that still resonates the way Diridon does. Everyone knows that name even if they didn't know who he was.”

— Ken Yeager, Former Santa Clara County Supervisor

What’s next

The Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America had selected Diridon as the honoree at its Distinguished Citizens Dinner, which was originally planned for May 2 but has now been pivoted to a virtual fundraiser in his memory.

The takeaway

Diridon's decades-long dedication to improving transportation and infrastructure in Santa Clara County left an indelible mark on the region, establishing him as a true visionary and community leader whose name has become synonymous with Silicon Valley's transit system.