It’s farewell Michigan, hello to California for the Boesky family

Roger Boesky was born and lived in Detroit until 1978. He practiced law there, met his wife and married there, and the couple had two children who now have their own children and they all live in Los Angeles.

From the time he began the practice of law and at the time he moved to La Jolla, he had also been engaged in the real estate business. He said he was able to get his first law clients by building a building in participation with a landowner and his college roommate who was a budding architect. “Every time a contractor came to the office to get paid for construction, he had to listen to my pitch as to why he needed an attorney,” Boesky joked. “I hated the winters, and more importantly, I was certainly not enamored with Detroit. Now it appears to have been a very good move.”

What brought you to La Jolla?

If you have been to Detroit you would know the answer to that question. Aside from having a fantastic climate, no sleet and snow, and people who are clearly willing to accept you even though you are a “stranger,” I can think of no other reasons to move to La Jolla.

What are your favorite places to go in La Jolla?

I love the cove for watching the people and the seals; and Girard for walking in and around the stores and seeing friends shopping and chatting. I also get a kick from walking through the neighborhoods and seeing the different homes and the imagination used to make them what they are, and wondering about all of the incarnations that got them to what they are today, knowing that about 50 years ago, they were all cottages for wealthy visitors from L.A.

If you could snap your fingers and have it done, what might you add to improve La Jolla?

I’d like to see established, a governing body that was reactive to the needs of the residents as well as the merchants. I would create a convenient public parking facility and an environment that was as friendly as possible to tourists as far as traffic control and parking.

Who or what inspires you?

That would be the university, UCSD, and the advantages it offers by opening its doors to the whole community along with the dedication of the people associated with the university and their willingness to live and work with the people in the community.

If you hosted a dinner party for eight, whom (living or deceased) would you invite?

I would invite Winston Churchill, Clarence Darrow, Felix Frankfurter, Johnny Carson, Edward Bennett Williams, Golda Meir, Jerry Katzin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Tell us about what you are currently reading.

“Citizen Rauh” by Michael Parrish.

What is your most prized possession?

My law school diploma.

What is your favorite movie of all time?

“Casablanca.”

Please describe your greatest accomplishment.

Being able to successfully leave Detroit and make a life here in California for my wife and children.

What is your motto or philosophy of life?

Have a time in your life when you indulge yourself by going to places and doing things that you will always remember. You pass this way only once, and if you do it right, once is enough.