HOMER BLUDAU
Homer was born in San Antonio, Texas, and shortly thereafter his family moved sixty miles south to Coy City, a rural agricultural community of 75 people! His father was principal of the local elementary school and was provided a house on site. The school had 4 teachers for its 7 grades, and Homer was taught by his Dad his 6th and 7th grade years.
Homer attended Karnes City High, as the family moved to Karnes City (population 3,500) in 1960. In high school he played football, basketball, volleyball and ran track; he was selected as Class President all 4 years and was voted “Mr. Karnes City High School” his senior year.
Homer attended college at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, where he graduated in 1969. While in college he was elected Student Body President for two years and was voted by the faculty the “Outstanding Senior Man” award. As a participant in the Air Force ROTC program, he entered the Air Force in February, 1969, where he spent most of his five years of duty at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona, earning the rank of Captain. His tour completed in 1973, Homer earned a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Arizona.
Desiring a career in local government, Homer had a 29-year career as the City Manager in the California cities of Avenal, Rialto, Coronado and Newport Beach. Homer has the distinction of serving as President of both the San Diego County and Orange County City Managers’ Associations. After 10 years as the Newport Beach City Manager, he retired 2009.
Over the past 18 years Homer’s local civic involvement includes the following: Marine 1/1 Foundation current and founding member from 2003; Chamber of Commerce Commodores; initial Co-Chair of the first two American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in Newport Beach; Executive member of the 70’s; Executive Board member of the Environmental Nature Center for 15 years; Coast Community College District Foundation Board member for 12 years; Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Parish Council and Eucharistic Minister; Friends of OASIS Advocate Committee and Executive Committee member of both Visit Newport Beach and Newport Beach & Company.
Due to his vast civic involvement, Homer was selected the Newport Beach Citizen of the Year for 2017.
Homer is married to Janet Bludau; they reside in Newport Beach. Homer has a son Brad (Heather) with a granddaughter Ryan and grandson Austin, who live in Corte Madera, plus daughter Aimee (Robert) who reside in Tucson. His siblings Owen, Colin and Becky all reside near Austin, Texas.