Honoring a Local Family’s Legacy: How the Musser Family’s Gift Will Empower Petaluma Students’ Future

The Petaluma Education Foundation (PEF) is honored to share the story of Gene Musser’s extraordinary $200,000 scholarship fund—a lasting tribute to his parents, Wayne and Roberta Musser, and Gene’s brother Jon. Gene’s sisters, Anne and Janet, are also part of the Musser family story and the values that shaped this gift.

More than a sum of money, Gene’s gift is a promise: a promise that generations of Petaluma students will have opportunities to thrive, learn, and dream bigger. At PEF, we know that education transforms lives, and thanks to the Mussers, countless young people will see doors opened that might otherwise have stayed closed.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Musser family for this profound act of love, remembrance, and community investment. Their story embodies the best of what PEF stands for: neighbors helping neighbors, families supporting families, and a shared vision of building a stronger, more equitable future for all our students.

The Mussers: A Family Devoted to Education and Community

The Musser family’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of Petaluma. Wayne and Roberta Musser were known for their steadfast work ethic, warm hospitality, and commitment to helping others. Wayne was a graduate of Purdue University, the first in his family to attend college and later earned a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry. In 1946, he relocated to Petaluma with Roberta and their infant son, where he practiced optometry until his retirement. Roberta was equally devoted, remembered for her kindness, involvement in the PTA and local schools, and the open door she kept for neighbors and friends alike.

Their home was the kind of place where community happened naturally, whether it was raising their children with strong values or volunteering quietly behind the scenes. They taught Gene and his brother Jon, along with their sisters, that real success is measured in service to others. Jon carried those same values throughout his own life, remembered for his big laugh, compassion for friends in need, and a willingness to drop everything to help someone.

Though Wayne, Roberta, and Jon have all passed on, Gene Musser chose to honor them in the most meaningful way he could imagine: by opening doors for young people in their name. Through this scholarship fund, he is ensuring that students who need support the most will have the chance to pursue higher education—whether at a four-year university, a two-year college, or in vocational training.

This is more than a gift. It’s a living memorial to a family who believed that communities are built one neighbor at a time, one student at a time. Their values of hard work, caring for others, and quiet generosity align perfectly with PEF’s mission to create opportunities that foster critical thinking, creativity, well-being, and lifelong learning for all of Petaluma’s students.

Gene’s act of generosity reflects his family’s unshakable faith in education’s power to transform lives—and in PEF’s ability to deliver real, lasting impact. It stands as an invitation to us all: to honor those we love by helping others in their name, leaving a legacy that will echo for generations.

The Impact of PEF Scholarships: Changing Lives, One Student at a Time

Gene Musser’s $200,000 gift will support scholarships that expand opportunity for local students, reflecting PEF’s long-standing mission to ensure every young person has access to a strong educational foundation.

For more than 40 years, PEF has supported students across Petaluma through donor-funded scholarships and classroom grants. These awards help remove barriers to higher education, whether a student chooses a four-year university, community college, or vocational training.

Each scholarship represents a story of possibility, from first-generation college students pursuing new paths to young people discovering their talents and future leaders who feel encouraged at a pivotal moment in their lives.

Investing in High-Impact, Transparent Programs

The Musser family chose PEF because of our commitment to responsible stewardship and direct community impact. PEF’s Fund the Future initiative supports both scholarships and innovative classroom programs that meet real needs in local schools.

Every dollar entrusted to PEF comes from individuals, families, businesses, and foundations who believe in creating opportunities for students. Funds are managed with long term sustainability in mind, ensuring that donor intentions are honored for generations.

Our scholarship program offers flexibility for donors, from single year awards to endowed funds, allowing each gift to reflect personal values or honor loved ones.

A Legacy That Inspires Us All

Gene Musser’s gift is powerful not only for what it will do, but for what it represents. It’s a reminder that when one family gives, an entire community grows.

We see it every day in the smiling faces of students who get the news they received a scholarship. In teachers who can offer new programs because of PEF Impact Grants. In the families who know their child has a real chance at higher education and a brighter future.

Gene’s gift is a testament to love: love for his family, love for this community, and love for future generations. It is the kind of legacy that will be felt for years to come, in ways big and small, in classrooms and workplaces and neighborhoods throughout Petaluma.

How You Can Support PEF’s Mission

We invite you to join Gene Musser and countless other generous donors in creating your own legacy of learning.

Establishing a scholarship fund is just one meaningful way to make a difference. There are many ways, big and small, to support Petaluma’s students and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive:

Fund the Future: Support our general grants, ensuring flexible funding for the greatest needs in our schools.
Establish a Scholarship: Honor a loved one, promote a field you’re passionate about, or remove barriers for students facing financial challenges.
Planned Giving: Include PEF in your will or estate plans, making education part of your legacy for generations to come.
Volunteer: Help with our events, committees, or Alphabet Soup Benefit Thrift Stores, where proceeds support PEF’s mission.
Partner with Us: Local businesses can become Annual Partners in Education, demonstrating their commitment to the community while making a meaningful difference.

Your contribution is more than a donation. It’s your story woven into the fabric of Petaluma’s future.

Let’s Talk About Your Legacy

If you feel inspired by the Musser family’s gift and want to explore how you can make your own lasting impact, please reach out.

📞 Call: (707) 778-4632

📧 Email: maureen@pefinfo.com

🌐 Visit: pefinfo.com/get-involved

Together, let’s empower tomorrow’s leaders with a solid education—and leave a legacy that truly matters.