Ryan Tompkins, UC Cooperative Extension forestry and natural resources advisor for Plumas, Sierra and Lassen counties, passed away on May 6 while receiving treatment for cancer. He was 49.
On topics ranging from reforestation to forest health to fire resilience, Tompkins, who became a UCCE advisor in 2019, was respected and admired by his peers and the many communities he served.
“Ryan's presence was a source of joy and inspiration for me,” said Yana Valachovic, UCCE director and forest advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. “His kindness and gentleness were unparalleled. Our virtual coffee sessions, where we discussed our challenges and joys, were always a highlight of my day. His ability to communicate complex information with clarity and fun was a testament to his amazing talents and personality.”
David Lile, UCCE director for Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties, said, “Within the UCCE Plumas-Sierra staff, Ryan was a leader, friend and confidant. His humor, whether in the form of an impromptu Halloween costume or a stunning fire demonstration, never failed to raise office spirits.”
In his ANR town hall presentation in 2022, Tompkins described his work making communities more resilient to wildfire, showing photos of the Dixie and Fly fires that he had taken from his house in Quincy.
Tompkins started his own Firewise community in his neighborhood of 36 residences. After joining UC ANR, he set his sights on making the entire town of Quincy, over 2,000 residences, a Firewise USA Site and achieved it in May 2021.
That year, the Plumas County Fire Safe Council recognized Tompkins' accomplishments in making the community more fire-resilient.
“Ryan Tompkins has been a huge part of the progress made with the Quincy Firewise USA initiative,” Mike Flanigan of Flanigan-Leavitt Insurance wrote in his nomination letter. “He successfully received certification in his own neighborhood – Galleppi Ranch. He is thorough and keeps the committee focused. We on the Quincy Firewise Committee are very grateful for Ryan's professional input and support.”
When tackling a new problem, Ricky Satomi, UCCE forest advisor for Sutter, Yuba, Butte and Nevada counties, often called Tompkins, who was “always ready to jump in with a helping hand or cheerful affirmation.”
“Ryan exemplified the spirit and purpose of extension, always finding an inventive path to lift all through the challenges we face,”Satomi said. “His expertise and tenacity have been a guiding force for state and federal efforts on wildfire, reforestation and workforce issues. His research and teachings have mentored entire generations of forestry professionals across the state – to say nothing of the dedication he brought to building wildfire and community resilience in Plumas County. Ryan was a cornerstone of forestry in California and inspired all around him to be the best version of themselves.”
Prior to joining UCCE, Tompkins served as the forest silviculturist and vegetation program manager at the Plumas National Forest, where he designed, planned and implemented landscape-scale forest restoration projects. He held forester positions for 16 years with the U.S. Forest Service, worked in the fire effects program with the National Park Service, and taught forest ecology and management as associate faculty in the Environmental Studies Department at Feather River College.
He earned master's and bachelor's degrees in forestry from UC Berkeley.
“I especially enjoyed my time with Ryan during our CARET [Council on Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching] trip to Washington, D.C. in 2023,” said Vice President Glenda Humiston, “and I will greatly miss him – as a consummate Cooperative Extension advisor and as a wonderful person.”
Valachovic vividly remembers Tompkins calling her about his cancer diagnosis.
“He shared that he did not want a pity party and that he had had an amazing life,” she recalled. “Like all things about Ryan, he took it with grace and humility.”
She added, “I think about him daily and reflect on ‘what Ryan would do' in this or that situation. What comes to mind is to smile, give compliments and find joy in each task or interaction.”
Tompkins is survived by his wife Michelle Coppoletta and their sons Emmett and Sterling.
Those wishing to send well-wishes to Tompkins' family may mail cards totheUCCEPlumas-Sierra office, care of Samantha Brown, 208 Fairgrounds Road, Quincy, CA, 95971. A memorial for Tompkins on July 14 is being coordinated by the Plumas TREX Incident Management Team at Michelle Coppoletta's request. Please direct questions to hannah@thewatershedcenter.com. A college fund for Emmett and Sterling has been established.