Healdsburg Museum Pioneer Award Dinner

Healdsburg resident Arnold Santucci was honored Thursday night at the   Pioneer Award Dinner  at Trentadue Winery in Healdsburg.

It was a sold-out house and a great way for Santucci to top off a great week of recognition as the recipient of the prestigious "Pioneer Award."

This year's Pioneer Award Dinner was a fun-filled evening for our community where the line blurs between neighbors, family and community. Master of ceremonies Mark Gladden was clearly on top of his game as he roasted Santucci as well as showed his deep admiration for Santucci at the same time.

Father Tyler Strand of gave the invocation and dinner was served by Pacific Connection Catering, an out of town caterer. 

, retired Healdsburg schools teacher and administrator as well as the current president, gave a great speech about Santucci and his contributions to the community with no less than 54 references to Kiwanis.

Rollie Atkinson, owner of the , gave another moving and clearly respectful account of Santucci’s timeline in Healdsburg. Atkinson pointed out that both he and Santucci, the former owner of the Tribune, were both 30 years old when they came to town.

He pointed out they were both about ready to get married at that point in their life and they had both made the best decisions in their life. The result is clear for both, the opportunity for a lifetime of service for their community. 

Healdsburg Vice Mayor Gary Plass then made a surprise announcement with a proclamation from the commending Santucci for his lifetime of service to the citizens of Healdsburg. A plaque was presented and the crowd was on their feet for this humble and dearly loved “Healdsburg Pioneer” Arnold Santucci. 

Barbara Baxter, who along with Santucci and Grant Canfield started this award 13 years ago, presented Santucci with his "Pioneer Award" plaque. 

Santucci was also recognized earlier this week by his peers during at the weekly Kiwanis meeting. At that meeting, vice president of the club Hunt Conrad asked Santucci to tell the group about the award.

The always humble Santucci declined to go into it very deep so his lifelong friends that were at the meeting stood up and told the group exactly what a great friend and man Santucci is. Clarence Ruonavaara, who attended Cal Berkeley with Santucci, stood up and gave a very passionate declaration of what his friend has done for the community and the history behind the award.

Long time friend and community builder Kurt Hahn also gave a very moving speech about Santucci. 

Santucci  is the 13^th person to be bestowed this award and has been asked to receive it several times over the years but has declined and made suggestions of who should receive it. 

Santucci was born and raised in San Francisco. He attended Saint Ignatius high school in San Francisco then moved across the Bay to attend Cal Berkeley where he majored in business and English.

Santucci was in the U.S. Army for several years prior to moving to Healdsburg. During that time, he lived in San Francisco and worked at a newspaper and as a publisher. 

In 1950, Santucci moved to Healdsburg, purchased the Healdsburg Tribune and married Vida Santucci. Santucci operated that papaer as owner/editor for over 12  years. During that time, he became well recognized in Healdsburg as a businessman and volunteer. 

In 1958, Santucci became the first person to win the "Citizen of the Year Award." He has been a member of the Healdsburg Kiwanis Club for 50 years, he is on the advisory committee at the in Healdsburg.

He is the editor of the Healdsburg Museum's quarterly publication, The Russian River Recorder. He produces the award winning monthly newsletter for the Kiwanis Club. 

Santucci and his bride still live in that house they built on the golf course in 1950. He is cherished by his wife, son and 15-year-old twin grandchildren.  We love you Dad!

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO