Byron Rhett

1950 - 2025

Byron Rhett
09/06/1950 - 06/20/2025
Byron Andrew Rhett, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend to many, passed away of sudden cardiac arrest at home in San Francisco on June 20, 2025, at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife, Andrea, his two sons, Justin (Maureen) and Zane, his grandson, Rory, his sister Lakina Rhett, niece Hakima Robinson, sister-in-law Aliyah Aziz, niece Kia Morning Flower, nephews Aasim Aziz and Siraaj Rhett. Byron was predeceased by his parents, James and Lucille Rhett, and his brother, Mustafa Aziz.
Byron was born in Newark, New Jersey, on September 6, 1950. The 2nd of three siblings, he was a student-athlete who graduated from Weequahic High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in urban planning and design from the University of Cincinnati. He was also selected as a National Urban Fellow, studying Urban Studies and Affairs at Occidental College and Yale University.
Byron worked as an urban planner in Newark, N.J., before moving to California, where he served the City and County of San Francisco for four decades, first at the Redevelopment Agency and then at the Port of San Francisco. During his time working in San Francisco's public sector, he played an integral role in development projects that have come to define both the City's physical plant and its ethos, one that centers public space and human connection. At the Port, Byron was a Deputy Director and spent the last years of his career as the Chief Operating Officer before retiring in the summer of 2020.
His stewardship is most evident in some of the places and spaces that he helped to develop during his time at both the Redevelopment Agency and the Port: Opera Plaza, Jimmy Herman Cruise Ship Terminal, the renovation of the Ferry Building, the Exploratorium at Pier 15, Hunter"s Point Shipyards, Crane Cove Park, and Heron's Head Park, to name a few. These initiatives frequently engaged spaces previously dedicated to shipping, cargo, and other similar commercial uses, and transformed much of the City's waterfront into captivating public spaces that have redefined San Franciscans' relationship with the eastern shores of the City.
Byron had many interests and talents. He was a skilled photographer, a gourmet cook, an accomplished tennis player, and a music aficionado with eclectic tastes ranging from jazz to hip hop. An avid fan of sports and the arts, Byron could frequently be found taking in a Giants game at Oracle Park, listening to music at SFJAZZ and other venues, strolling through SFMOMA, or taking photos at Carnaval in the Mission. In his later years, his long-standing love of tennis morphed into a passion for pickleball, and he was a staple at games throughout the city. He enjoyed travel, especially with his wife, and visited countries in Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. He took special interest in viewing the architecture in the cities he visited.
A celebration of Byron's life will be held on Thursday, July 31st at Crane Cove Park, San Francisco, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. The remembrance is open to the public. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bay Area Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters by following the link provided here:
https://give.bbbsba.org/byronrhett
To help us with planning, kindly let us know if you're coming: https://tinyurl.com/bdhkndwb