Residents in San Francisco's Castro district are reacting to the death this week of a beloved unhoused man who spent many years on the streets in the LGBTQ neighborhood. A memorial is planned on Presidents Day.
Dale Coverdell was found dead February 11 on the 500 block of Castro Street, between 18th and 19th streets. His age was not immediately available.
The Castro Community Benefit District stated on Instagram that Mr. Coverdell had lived on the streets of the Castro for a long time, and that it is planning a memorial for Monday, February 17, at 11:30 a.m. at the Hibernia Beach area outside the Bank of America building at Castro and 18th streets, where so many have been mourned over the years.
"He died alone on a cold rainy morning," the post stated. "There has to be a better way!"
Gay Castro resident Christopher Vasquez remembered Mr. Coverdell as "an absolute fixture in the neighborhood."
"My dog Ziggy and I would see him nearly every day," he stated. "He was always so kind, so caring, and would regularly take the time to call out Ziggy as a basenji. One time he told us a story about how he grew up with basenjis, among other great stories about his life. I know other friends with dogs that he was also constantly very friendly with. His loss is also very tragic – and sadly also just another reminder that our city, state, and federal governments are not doing nearly enough to prioritize the health, safety, and wellbeing of our most vulnerable living on the streets."
A San Francisco Police Department spokesperson stated to the Bay Area Reporter that at 10:36 a.m. February 11, "Officers arrived on scene and met with paramedics who were already at the scene. Paramedics declared the adult male deceased. The medical examiner responded to conduct their investigation. At this time, there is no evidence of foul play at this stage of the investigation."
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner didn't return a request for comment by press time.
Bill Pung, the co-owner of Orphan Andy's, told the B.A.R. that Mr. Coverdell "looked pretty healthy every time I saw him."
"I'm sorry he had passed," Pung said. "The elements are just horrible out when it's raining and it's freezing cold out there."
Pung remembered Mr. Coverdell as "a nice guy."
"Every time I'd see him going down Castro Street, he'd be sitting, greeting people, always in a good mood, and just interacting with people walking by," Pung said. "I'd see him sitting there, reading a book, and if I have something I'd give it to him, help him out. He was never aggressive."
Gay Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, who as District 8 supervisor represents the Castro at City Hall, shared a similar sentiment about Mr. Coverdell as others in the neighborhood.
"It's very sad," he stated to the B.A.R. "We're leaving far too many sick people to die on our sidewalks, and it's wrong."
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444.
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