Paul Heavenridge spent decades weaving himself into the fabric of Petaluma — fighting for its river, championing adult literacy, and serving on the Sonoma County Library Commission. On Sunday, April 26, the community will gather at Steamer Landing Park to say goodbye.
Key takeaways
- A public memorial for Paul Heavenridge will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, at Steamer Landing Park, 6 Copeland St., Petaluma.
- Heavenridge, 75, died December 10, 2025, from kidney and heart disease.
- He founded LiteracyWorks, a Bay Area nonprofit supporting adult literacy, and served as a Sonoma County Library Commissioner.
- Friends of the Petaluma River launched the Paul Heavenridge Nature Camp Scholarship Fund, backed by a $50,000 anonymous donor match.
- The fund will help children from underserved Petaluma-area communities attend summer camps and nature programs.
A life woven into Petaluma
Heavenridge, who died December 10 at age 75, was the kind of person who showed up — for the river, for adults learning to read, for children who might never otherwise experience the outdoors. He founded LiteracyWorks, a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to adult literacy, and served as a Sonoma County Library Commissioner, helping connect residents to knowledge in two distinct ways. Friends of the Petaluma River remembered him as “a bee keeper, board member, husband and friend” whose life “leaves a legacy of love and integrity.”
His connection to the Petaluma River ran deep. As a longtime advocate with Friends of the Petaluma River, he worked to protect and restore one of Petaluma’s most defining natural features — the same waterway central to ongoing regional conservation work and Sonoma County river community emergency preparedness efforts. The Sunday memorial will take place at Steamer Landing Park, where the river meets the city’s working waterfront — a fitting setting for a man who spent so much energy keeping that connection alive.
Scholarship fund carries his legacy forward
In Heavenridge’s honor, Friends of the Petaluma River has established the Paul Heavenridge Nature Camp Scholarship Fund. Seeded with a $50,000 commitment from an anonymous donor, the fund will help children from underserved local communities attend summer camps and nature immersion programs. “Paul was deeply committed to ensuring all youth had the opportunity to go to summer camp,” the organization said. Donations can be made at FOPR.org/ways-to-give.
The scholarship reflects the same civic spirit behind other recent Petaluma-area investments in public green space, including the $4M renovation of Larson Park in Sonoma, where communities have rallied to protect and improve the outdoor spaces that define local life. Heavenridge understood that connection — and the scholarship ensures younger generations will, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Paul Heavenridge’s memorial?
The public memorial will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Steamer Landing Park, 6 Copeland Street, Petaluma. The event is free and open to the public.
How can I contribute to the Paul Heavenridge Nature Camp Scholarship Fund?
Donations can be made at FOPR.org/ways-to-give. Friends of the Petaluma River launched the fund with a $50,000 anonymous donor match. The scholarship specifically supports children from underserved Petaluma-area communities in attending summer camps and nature immersion programs.
Who was Paul Heavenridge?
Heavenridge was a Petaluma community leader who founded LiteracyWorks, a Bay Area nonprofit supporting adult literacy, and served as a Sonoma County Library Commissioner. He was also a longtime advocate and active member of Friends of the Petaluma River. He passed away December 10, 2025, at age 75.
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