Nicholas Wharton Vaughan
82, of Ukiah CA passed away surrounded by his family on March 21, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend to many. Born to Adele Wharton Vaughan and H.L. "Punk’ Vaughan and raised in Point Richmond, he attended the Putney School in Vermont and went on to UC Berkeley earning a degree in Landscape Architecture. In this early period Nick found his lifelong partner Heidi Kurtz; marrying in 1959 they shared a remarkable journey of nearly 70 years.
Nick began his career with Lawrence Halprin & Associates in the mid-1960’s.
Relocating to New England in the early 1970’s he continued landscape design with Dan Kiley associates in Vermont, and subsequently taught environmental design at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Returning to CA in 1980, he set about rebuilding an abandoned cabin into a charming homestead at the end of Pine Ridge Road. Over the years he would do a turn as a fishmonger, take up blacksmithing, and continue to design and build beautiful homes; working with Ukiah based builders and cabinet makers Billy Jamison, Tim Hustead, and John Chiarito. Later he ran the Mendocino County Library’s Bookmobile program, delivering books to rural communities and sharing the joy of reading.
Nick’s dedication to the local community led him to volunteer time and skills for special projects at Ukiah Players Theatre,
Plowshares Peace & Justice Center, the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino county, and the Ukiah Public Library.
His last decade was focused on enjoying the Pine Ridge ranch; gardening and stockpiling firewood - a modern variant of "chop wood, carry water"...reflecting his love of family and deep connection to the land.
Although he will be deeply missed, his influence lives on, continuing to warm the hearts of all those who knew him. There will not be a formal memorial. In lieu of flowers, modest donations may be made to one of the above community institutions.
Nick is survived by his wife Heidi Vaughan of Ukiah, sons Moses Vaughan & his partner Pam Takahama, daughter Jessica Vaughan & son-in-law Charlie Powell, and grandchildren Corrina Rose Powell, Own Nicholas Powell, and Anu Tamang Vaughan.