Joe Peatman

February 16, 1934 - August 15, 2024

Joseph Gray Peatman, retired Napa attorney and visionary community leader, has died in Napa, California. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family; a treasure to the city and county of Napa; and a loyal friend and mentor to many.

Joe was born in Hollywood to Joseph and Martha Peatman (ne Rice). His sister Mary Ann was born in 1940. Joe graduated from South Pasadena High School and then from Stanford University in 1956 where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and from Stanford Law School in 1958. He was forever a fan of all things Stanford and served on the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors from 1978 to 1980. In 1957 Joe married fellow Stanford grad Angela Brovelli. Their daughter Marily was born in 1958 and after a year in Virginia serving in the US Army Reserve, the family moved to Napa, Angela's hometown, where he began his legal career. Sons Joe and Bill were born in 1960 and 1961, respectively.

In 1964 Joe and Angela built an epic family house on Ashlar Drive that was home to many family celebrations, law firm gatherings, Napa Swim Team parties, and more. Joe was an avid outdoorsman and taught the kids to hunt, fish, and camp; to snow ski in Tahoe; and to water ski at Tinsley Island in the delta. There were countless road trips for these adventures, with the Kingston Trio providing the soundtrack. When Marily learned guitar, her first song was Tijuana Jail.

Joe was also an accomplished sailor and fisherman. He and Angela cruised all over the world and hosted scores of friends in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and the Mediterranean. He loved to take friends salmon fishing in the Pacific. When he was having a good time on the water or in the mountains, he would shout "Wahoo!" to share his joy.

Personally, Joe was a kind and generous man. When he said someone "is a friend of mine," it meant that they had his unwavering support. He helped legions of Napans get out of legal and personal jams. If he couldn't help, he would find someone who could.

Professionally, few individuals have played a greater role in the development of today's Napa Valley. From 1964 to 2000 Joe was Managing Partner at Dickenson, Peatman, and Fogarty (DP&F), where he became an expert land use attorney, representing many of the wineries, vineyards, hotels, shopping centers, and subdivisions that shaped a growing community. He believed passionately in the clients he represented.

In 2001 Joe began his second career as president and then board chair of The Peter and Vernice Gasser Foundation, where he found a new calling in helping the most vulnerable in the community. He was a driving force behind the development of the South Napa Shelter; OLE Health's South Napa campus; Hartle Court, Nightingale, and Heritage transitional housing projects; and the Stoddard West affordable apartments.

Joe loved his adopted community. He served on the Napa Elementary School District, Napa College District, and Napa Union High School District Board of Trustees and was elected to the first Napa Valley Unified School District School Board, serving as president in 1966. He was elected to the Napa County Board of Supervisors in 1968. He was a Queen of the Valley Hospital Trustee from 1971 to 1986.

Joe was an Exalted Ruler of the Napa Elks Club, a long-time Rotarian and a founder of the Sunrise Rotary Club, and a dedicated member of the St Francis Yacht Club. In 2010, Joe and Angela were honored as Citizens of the Year by the Napa Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, the Gasser Foundation commemorated Joe's contributions to the community by naming a street behind the Foundation's offices Peatman Drive.

Joe is survived by his wife Angela; daughter Marily Lerner (Mark); sons Joe (Nancy) and Bill (Liz); grandchildren and great-grandchildren who lovingly called him "Pops." He was predeceased by his parents and sister.

To celebrate Joe's life, help somone in need, and shout "Wahoo!" the next time you feel great.

Napa Valley Register, August 21, 2024