Point Reyes Light - April 24, 2003

Lanny Pinola, 64, helped set standard for rangers

By Larken Bradley

Former Point Reyes National Seashore ranger Lanny Pinola, who in his 15 years with the Park Service helped turn the Kule Loklo coastal Miwok village into an attraction for world travelers, and who educated tens of thousands of visitors in Native California culture, died Monday, April 21 in San Jose of cardiac arrest, four days before his 65th birthday.

A Petaluma resident, Mr. Pinola and his fiancee Susie Montijo Moore journeyed to San Jose on Monday, her birthday, where he was scheduled to officiate at a Native American funeral. After climbing a flight of stairs Mr. Pinola collapsed and died in an ambulance en route to the hospital.

Mr. Pinola and Ms. Moore met eight years ago at Kule Loklo and were to have been married on Saturday in the village’s ceremonial building before the start of the annual Strawberry Festival where he was slated to serve as master of ceremonies.

Community leader

In honor of his passing, National Park Service officials have canceled this year’s Strawberry Festival.

A member the Coastal Miwok and Kashya Pomo tribes, Mr. Pinola was a renowned Indian storyteller and community leader who performed throughout the state and beyond. He sat on the board of directors of numerous Native American organizations. In the 1980s he received the Secretary of the Interior’s Stewardship Award, given by then-Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan in Washington, DC, for his success in promoting ties with the Native American community and increasing public awareness of its culture.

One of 16 children, Lanny Pinola was born on April 25, 1938, on a reservation at Stewart’s Point, on the coast in northern Sonoma County. When he was 13 years old his father was killed in an industrial accident at a lumber mill and young Lanny became the family’s father figure, Ms. Moore told The Light on Wednesday.

After graduating from high school he married his first wife with whom he had three daughters. The family lived in Sebastopol where he worked in an apple cannery for more than 20 years.

Life of service

Raised as Mormon, in his late 30s Mr. Pinola received a four-year scholarship to Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City where he earned a degree in psychology and child development. After graduation he accepted a position as vice principal of a middle school on a Ute tribe reservation in Utah where he worked for two years.

He later returned to California and became a ranger with Point Reyes National Seashore. For several years he lived in employee housing on the Hagmaier ranch near Dogtown. In December 1996 the Victorian house caught fire and was destroyed.

On Wednesday several friends and former colleagues mourned the passing of a man who by all accounts possessed special gifts for communicating, relating to others, and simply being in the world.

Don Neubacher, Point Reyes National Seashore superintendent noted, "Lanny Pinola was an inspirational teacher, a great communicator, and a special friend to Point Reyes and the local community."

Added Neubacher, "He shared a tremendous amount of knowledge with the American public about the history and hopes of local Native Americans."

Ranger John Golda reported that visitors from around the world often return to the visitor center, asking after Mr. Pinola.

Inspirational figure

David Escobar, a member of the Indian community and an aide to Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey said, "It was a pleasure and honor to know someone of such spiritual depth.... He inspires me to continue to try to do the best I can as a human being, not only for my people but for the rest of humanity."

Longtime friend Marty Falkenstien who came to work at Kule Loklo at Mr. Pinola’s request observed, "His heart was so big that he lived his life without judgment."

Added Falkenstien, "He lived his life in the way we wish we all could."

The mundane world also held great appeal for Mr. Pinola, Ms. Moore said. He was an avid 49ers and San Francisco Giants fan. He also liked hot rods; ‘38 Chevys, one of which he owned; rock-and-roll; and dancing. Tuptups, or Indian bread, and fried seaweed were his favorite culinary treats.

Added Ms. Moore, "And he loved women... and all the women loved him."

His two marriages ended in divorce.

Mr. Pinola was predeceased by his brother Frank Pinola; and eight other siblings who died in early childhood.

He is survived by his fiancee, Susie Montijo Moore; and her son, Brian Moore, both of Petaluma; daughters, Roberta Pinola of Yuba City; Claudia Pinola of Springville, Utah; and Lana Pinola Limb, also of Utah; brothers, Randolph "Booker" Pinola; and Lester Pinola; both of Stewart’s Point; brother, Chuck Pinola of Santa Rosa; sisters, Elsie Pinola; Verna Pinola; Lorraine Pinola; and Betty Pinola, all of Stewart’s Point; aunts, Gladys Gonzales of Washington State; and Frances Sawyer of Santa Rosa; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, April 26, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Valentine Road, Sebastopol.

The family has suggested that any memorial contributions be made to the California Indian Storytelling Association, PO Box 267, Fremont, CA 94537.

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