UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K



                                 Current Report
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 2, 2001



                         REDWOOD MORTGAGE INVESTORS VIII
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

         California                       000-27816              94-3158788
(State or Other Jurisdiction of         (Commission           (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)         File Number)      Identification Number)



650 El Camino Real, Suite G, Redwood City, California                    94063
         (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                     (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code:   (650) 365-5341



Item 5. Other Events

After 25 years of active  participation  in the  mortgage  business,  D. Russell
Burwell,  age 69, the founder and one of the General Partners of the Partnership
has announced his decision to retire effective September 30, 2001. The remaining
General Partners are Mr. Michael Burwell, Gymno Corporation and Redwood Mortgage
Corp., both California Corporations. The remaining General Partners have elected
to continue  the business of the  Partnership  as described in Article 9 Section
9.01(d) of the Partnership's Limited Partnership Agreement.  Mr. Michael Burwell
who has been  employed by Redwood  Mortgage  Corp.  since 1970 will  continue to
serve as a General Partner of Redwood Mortgage Investors VIII, a position he has
held  since  its  inception.   The  remaining   General   Partners  and  various
senior-level  employees  of Redwood  Mortgage  Corp.  will assume Mr.  Burwell's
responsibilities.  Mr. Burwell is working actively and in close association with
management  to ensure a smooth  transition.  Mr.  Burwell will also make himself
available to the General Partners as needed for special projects.

Mr. D. Russell  Burwell has notified the limited  partners of the Partnership of
his  retirement  pursuant to Article 8 Section  8.02 of the Limited  Partnership
Agreement.  The retirement of D. Russell Burwell does not constitute a change in
ownership control of the Partnership.


                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  registration  statement  to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

Date:  April 11, 2001

                                               REDWOOD MORTGAGE INVESTORS VIII,
                                               a California limited partnership



                                               By:      /s/ Michael R. Burwell
                               Michael R. Burwell
                                                        General Partner