Sonoma Valley resident Nicholas Anast dies kayaking

Respected ?SRJC teacher fell from boat ?in Tomales Bay|

There has been considerable shock and grief among community members over the loss of Sonoma Valley resident Nicholas A. Anast, 55, who died Wednesday afternoon after he apparently fell out of his kayak while paddling with a student in Tomales Bay.

Anast, a life science instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College, lived in the Boyes Hot Springs area with his wife, Kathleen McCauley Anast and their son, Cooper.

The 9-year-old attends Sonoma Charter School, where he and his father recently helped plant a tree as a community service, according to photos posted on Facebook.

Anast taught physiology, biology and anatomy at SRJC. He was well-liked by his students who organized a “beach bonfire” in his honor at Limoatour Beach, in Point Reyes, on Saturday night, March 21.

On March 18, the two men set out in separate kayaks from Nick’s Cove on Highway 1 in Marshall on the mainland side of Tomales Bay.

They were reportedly wearing life jackets when they began their journey. Anast was an experienced boater and unlikely to be remiss in water safety.

“He would be the last person I’d expect to get into trouble like that,” said George Thompson of Sonoma who, like Anast, lived in a social community in the Petaluma area during earlier years. “He was a very capable guy, always doing interesting things with his students.”

They apparently paddled north to the mouth of Tomales Bay and were headed back in the afternoon. The other boater reportedly turned around and saw Anast had fallen in the water, then went back to assist him. At that time the second kayaker also spilled out of his boat.

Fishermen reported the two kayakers in distress at 4:35 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies and Marin County firefighters responded, along with Coast Guard and REACH medical helicopters.

Rescuers aboard a Coast Guard helicopter said Anast was not wearing a life jacket when they recovered his body at about 6 p.m.

Since no one saw Anast fall into the water near Dillon Beach, and it’s not clear if he drowned, the final results on cause of death are not currently being released.

The Sonoma County Cororner’s Office would only comment that it was an ongoing investigation and results would be expected in four to six weeks.

“We’re essentially writing the final chapter,” said Lt. Keith Boyd of the Marin County Coroner’s Office. “We want to make sure that we dot the I’s and cross the T’s so we can issue an effective report, and give the family a sense of closure.”

A family celebration of his life is being planned for later this spring, according to Thompson.

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