The CSLEA and CARII families are in mourning over the sudden passing of Michael DeVroom from a massive heart attack he suffered June 22, one day shy of his 50th birthday. DeVroom was a Bureau of Automotive Repair representative and regulatory investigator, and he served as a site representative for CSLEA and the California Association of Regulatory Investigators and Inspectors (CARII).
"I'm torn up about this," said CARII President Bruce Hotchkiss. "He was a stand-up guy. We've heard of three of our guys in the southern region who have suffered heart attacks within the past few months, but this is the first fatality."
DeVroom worked out of BAR's Culver City office. He died in his state car in the parking lot outside the office. Coming from a dealership background, he joined BAR in 1999 and did a lot of surveillance work for the agency.
Of Dutch, Indonesian, and Canadian heritage, his father fought in the French Resistance in WWII. As a young man, DeVroom travelled extensively in the world. This and jobs such as being a bouncer made him a great storyteller, according to close associates.
Michael DeVroom is survived by his wife, Pam. Funeral arrangements will be posted on the CSLEA and CARII websites as soon as they are known.
