Paul Koji Umino, M.D.

Paul K. Umino, M.D.

Known for his calm, compassionate demeanor, and humble intelligence, Dr. Umino was a revered practitioner of medicine in Petaluma for over 40 years.

Paul Koji Umino was born in Doylestown, PA to Hideko and Henry Umino. After moving back to California, he was raised as the oldest of 4 boys (Jimmy, David, Bobby) on a fruit and vegetable farm in Orosi. He studied pre-med at UC Davis before earning his doctorate at the Creighton University of Medicine.

During the Vietnam War, he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force, serving at an outpost in the Aleutian Islands before being transferred to Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA.  After brief stints at various Northern CA hospitals, Dr. Umino would find a permanent home working in Petaluma, most notably as part of the El Rose Medical Group with his good friends Dr. David Sisler and Dr. John Shearer. Dr. Umino cared for and treated Petalumans out of the El Rose office, often still performing house calls, until his retirement in 2014.  Dr. Umino said the best thing that ever happened to him was having children, and he loved Patrick, Whitney, Marcus and Mallory immeasurably.  In recent years, you’d find him on his bike, in his garden, or cooking something delicious with his long-time partner Karen Newman.

He always loved fast cars, motorcycles and watching virtually all motorsports.

He also enjoyed bird- and duck-watching and spent many days walking at Ellis Creek with his dog Charlie.

A memorial service will be held at the Ellis Creek Wetlands (3890 Cypress Dr., Petaluma) on Wednesday, October 4th at 10am and is open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance (petalumawetlands.org)

Ellis Creek Wetlands