Richard William Nutter

11/18/1929-01/31/2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Richard William Nutter. Known by family and friends as Dick, he was born in San Francisco, to Burton and Gertrude Nutter. He was raised in Soquel, CA, making him a fifth generation Californian and a proud part of a pioneer family of Soquel. He died peacefully, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of public service, innovation and stewardship that helped shape one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world.

Upon completing his service as a combat veteran of the Korean War, Dick received his bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Davis. After college, he served for 15 years as an Agricultural Biologist and Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s office. From there, Dick was appointed as the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner/ Administrator of Weights & Measures and served with great distinction for 27 years. Under his direction, the Monterey County’s Agricultural Commissioner’s Office developed into one of the premier agricultural organizations in the nation.

A leader in California’s early legislative innovations, Dick actively participated in the development of statewide pesticide laws and regulations, including the California Organic Food Act. He subsequently was a founding partner of a successful company that certified organic farmers and developed programs in Food Safety and Sustainable Agriculture that are being practiced in California today.

Dick was widely regarded as an expert in pesticide and fertilizer regulation, farmworker safety and agricultural trade oversight. He worked to strengthen enforcement while maintaining productive relationships with the agricultural community. Dick was instrumental in developing and implementing the first effective affirmative action program in the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. On his retirement, Dick received a Congressional Tribute honoring his leadership, integrity and lasting contributions to agriculture and public service.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Richard was deeply committed to land conservation and environmental stewardship. He served on numerous boards, including the Agricultural Land Trust (past-president), the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation (past president), the National Steinbeck Center board of trustees, Friends of the Monterey County Fair (past president) and Friends of Moss Landing Marine Lab (past president). His dedication to both agriculture and conservation built the foundation for a partnership between the two entities that continues to grow today.

Dick’s dedication to his community reached far and beyond. He was a past president of the Soquel Pioneer & Historical Association where he contributed greatly to preservation of local history. He also served on the board of the Arthritis Research Coalition and the Mountain School District Board of Trustees in Soquel. Dick was a member of various clubs including the Stillwater Men’s Club and Rotary Club of Salinas. He was a past-president of the local chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food and a longtime member of the local chapter of Knights of the Vine.

Dick will be remembered by family and friends for his humility, keen wit, his wonderful storytelling and his gentle manner. He had a passion for genealogy, enjoyed travel to many parts of the world and looked forward to sharing the “crick” at his Soquel property with many friends and family. Dick was well loved by his family. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, three daughters, and many grand and great-grandchildren.

The family encourages donations to the Richard Nutter Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Ag Land Trust, P. O. Box 1731, Salinas CA 93902; the Ag History Project Center and Museum, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville CA 95076; or the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville CA 95076. Services will be private.