In Memoriam, John Van de Kamp

March 14th marked the passing of Lawry’s Restaurants Chairman of the Board of Directors John Van de Kamp. The Pasadena native’s first job was in the family business as a host at Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Beverly Hills. He went on to a distinguished law career both in private practice and as a respected federal public defender, an innovative L. A. District Attorney and an esteemed California Attorney General. A champion for social justice, John was described by the Los Angeles Times as “a towering political figure.”

a distinguished law career

Throughout his life, he remained closely tied to our company. He took great pride in the enduring partnership between two families that has spanned four generations since his uncles, Theodore Van de Kamp and Lawrence Frank, opened a potato chip shop together in 1915. We’re grateful for John Van de Kamp’s valuable contribution to Lawry’s and to our community.