Cal State University Long Beach

Sponsored by the Doug Korthof Memorial Fund

Doug Korthof Memorial Fund

Plug-in Movement Loses a Leader and Friend

It is with a profound sense of loss that we recognize the passing of our friend, fellow EV advocate, and sometime mentor Doug Korthof. Doug was a passionate advocate for plug-in vehicles, who worked tirelessly to educate anyone who would listen about the benefits of electric drive. For those of us involved in the fight to stop the automaker’s practice of removing working electric vehicles from the road, Doug was always there, working late night shifts and volunteering to help with most any task. He was a prolific writer whose musings on electric transportation can still be found on numerous websites, some of which he managed himself.

Doug’s passions ran far beyond plug-in vehicles. He was also a strong advocate for solar energy, opening the family home to numerous tours, speaking at public events and government hearings, and helping out at his son William’s solar business. In his home of Orange County California, Doug is well known for leading roles in stopping the offshore dumping of lightly treated municipal sewerage through the county’s ocean outfall pipe. He was also a moving force to reduce the size and scope of development on the Bolsa Chica Wetlands as well as a strong voice for the rights of Native Americans, whose ancestral villages and burial grounds were being disturbed by development.

Doug is survived by his wife Lisa Rosen, and sons William and Ed Korthof.

Doug’s loss will be felt far and wide in the Plug-in community. If you’d like to help remember Doug’s contributions, a Doug Korthof Memorial Charger Fund has been established to fund the installation and maintenance of a charging location in Doug’s honor. With the help of Doug’s family, a location will be selected near Doug’s family home in Seal Beach or his alma-mater, Cal State Long Beach. The installation and maintenance will be managed by Adopt a Charger. If you’d like to donate to this effort please click the button below.