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BORN
1947
DIED
2025
Regina Lutz Obituary
As part of the storied Robert Mondavi Winery public relations team, Regina played an important role in helping introduce the rest of the country, and indeed the world, to the wines of California. For three decades, she worked closely with Robert Mondavi and his family to promote their wines, wineries, and events to her many contacts and friends in the trade media. In 2003, when the original Robert Mondavi Winery and many of the company's brands were purchased by Constellation, Regina began consulting independently with wineries in Napa and Sonoma on media strategy and marketing communications. She delighted in her work, cherished her longtime industry friends and the younger women she mentored, and treasured the beauty of the Napa Valley landscape.
Regina was beloved among her many friends for her warmth, generosity, deep intuition, and unfailing support. She enjoyed celebrating birthdays, graduations, weddings, and holidays-any reason to host a party or attend one-and loved nothing more than meeting friends for lunch or dinner. She and her partner, Charlie, were regulars at several Napa restaurants, including Pizzeria Azzurro and the Norman Rose Tavern, where they befriended everyone on staff.
Regina was an animal lover with a special place in her heart for cats. She volunteered at Napa Humane, helped other cat lovers with adoptions, and provided a home for generations of her own special companions. Friends could travel with total peace of mind, knowing Regina would lavish the same loving care on their cats as she did her own. No stray within her orbit went hungry, and several spent their final months on a warm heating pad in the comfort of Regina's garage. She also loved wild creatures, and often fed birds, squirrels, and even the occasional possum.
Plants, too, thrived under Regina's attentive care. Her windows, porches, and gardens showcased a collection of beautifully tended flowers, trees, and succulents. She loved giving plants to friends, and these reminders of her thoughtfulness live on in many homes and gardens around Napa: rose bushes, fruit trees, bottlebrush ferns, jades, orchids, hydrangea, and plumeria.
Regina "Ding" Malie Lutz was born on July 16, 1947, at Fort Knox ARMY base in Kentucky to Colonel Raymond Koliaokalani Lutz, Ret., and Francis Alene Joyner, of Stuckee, Georgia. Her father was a direct descendant of the "First-Year People" who immigrated to Hawaii from Japan after the surrender of the last Japanese Emperor. As a U.S. Air Force pilot he served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. In World War II, he was shot down over mainland China, and Regina loved to recount the story of how her father and his crew trekked an astonishing 600 miles to Burma, a journey that, years later, landed him an invitation to dinner at the White House.
As a child, Regina was enchanted by the church bells of Honolulu. Passing the church with her father, she'd bounce on the passenger seat of the car and imitate the bells until her father began calling her "Ding"; she was "Ding" to her family from then on. The military family moved often, and Regina attended schools in Hawaii, Japan, Pennsylvania, Washington, and California, making friends easily and developing the social skills that would come in handy as she built her wine industry career.
Regina is preceded in death by her sister, Rachelle "Momi" Edna Kaumana Lutz, her brother, James Melvin Kale Lutz, her niece Dawn Lutz, and two husbands, Gary Pelle and Manny Garcia. She is survived by her brother, Raymond "Haku" Koliaokalani Lutz, Jr., her nieces, Kiele (Akimoto) Pennington, Jaime Fitchett, Kamakana (Fitchett) Watanabe, several great nieces and nephews, many loved ones near and far, and Charles T. Eckstrom III, an old friend with whom she reconnected in August of 1996 and shared the last 29 years of her life.
Please make any donations in memory of Regina M. Lutz to Napa Humane. A celebration of life will be scheduled for later this year. Regina Malie Lutz
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Regina Lutz
Connie Ophus" <[email protected]>
March 7, 2026
Ding my heart swells with sadness and goes out to Charlie and your dear family. You and I have a special bond that goes back before Mondavi. I picture the day you sat in my front room floor making phone calls to find a job. Little did I know that your efforts would eventually land us both at the Robert Mondavi Winery. Thank you, my dear friend, may you rest in peace.
Barbara Galante
March 6, 2026
Dear Regina, I remember when Harvey Posner hired you & how much you loved talking on the phone. May you rest in peace. You always had a kind heart/word for everyone.
Julie Crawford
February 24, 2026
Regina, you were the best next-door neighbor I ever had. Love you. Love you love you.
Rick Lee
January 19, 2026
Charlie and family, I´m sorry to hear the sad news of Reggie´s passing. May it be of solace to you that her´s was a life well lived.
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Ginny leija
January 13, 2026
Such a great person also know her as Ding. May the family be find peace at this time
Jill (Davis) Rothwell
January 13, 2026
Sincere condolences to Regina´s family. Her kindness and support meant so much during my time at RMW.
Patsy McGaughy and Jack Marx
January 12, 2026
Sending our deepest condolences to Charlie and all of Regina´s family. She was a delightful person and consummate PR professional. RMW was lucky to have had her talents and so many of us in the industry benefited from her expertise. Napa will be a little less bright without her shining star. RIP, Regina. You made a difference in this world in so many ways.
Gail Spangler
January 12, 2026
I was so sorry to hear of Regina's passing. She was a consummate professional-insightful, generous with her time, and a true pleasure to work with. My sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.
Carol Markowitz
January 11, 2026
Willy and Carol Markowitz send sad condolences to family and friends of Reggie. Especially to Charlie who loved and cared for her over many years. So glad to have shared time together in Napa and Bodega.
Love & Hugs -- Willy and Carol
Dawn Bardessono
January 10, 2026
Regina I will always remember your kindness
E ho`omaha me ka maluhia
Jane and Duane (McCarren) Ravenberg
January 10, 2026
My heart cries for you, Charlie. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and prayers. Stay strong, my friend, and cherish your memories
Carol Coawette
January 10, 2026
So sorry to lose sweet Regina. We first met April 1996, and I sensed her very special spirit immediately. Truly missed.
Gary Schelhammer
January 10, 2026
First time I saw Regina, was in Lakewood, so beautiful. I enjoyed seeing her years later at the vineyard where she worked. I enjoyed spending an evening dining with her and her parents at the Officers club at an Airbase in the Bay area. It may have been Father's Day. Lost contact with her long ago..
Margaret Kearns (MEK)
January 10, 2026
Rest in aloha Regina. May your memory be a blessing.
Kristine Grant McLean
January 10, 2026
A most treasured and respected friend for so many years...why do we always think we have more time together? I will miss her wise council and gentle guidance, still regretting the times I didn´t take it! She was fortunate to share this last chapter with Charlie and so many good friends. Regina´s light will be missed by many, but we will carry her forward in our hearts.
RoyAnne Florence
January 10, 2026
My deepest condolences for the loss of such a nifty lady. RoyAnne
Steve
January 10, 2026
Regina rest in peace.love Grace and Steve Shevick.
Sandy Smart
January 10, 2026
I´m so sorry to hear of Regina´s passing. I met her many many years ago when she was with Mondavi, and her sweet spirit touched me deeply. My heart felt condolences to her family and friends.
Bob Sides
January 9, 2026
Had the opportunity to share time with Regina in Napa close to ten years ago. My very first visit to this lovely town. Like Regina I loved cats where as a little boy, the
companionship of a beautiful blue-eyed Siamese! That was followed by a pet mallard and our family cat "Monnie Kitty" named because she had so many litters. May God bless you Regina in the LAND ABOVE!! Bob
Connie (Thomas) Ophus
January 9, 2026
Emotions and memories go back several years before Ding introduced me to RMW. There is a special love in my heart for Regina that time and circumstances cannot erase My condolences to her family especially Charlie, Momi and Haku.......
Arlene ( Harbo) Birkner
January 9, 2026
I am so sorry. I have wonderful memories of Reggie from our senior year of high school and into our early 20's.
Dan Prentiss
January 9, 2026
I am so sorry for your loss Charlie. I have such lovely memories of Reggie in high school...always a little ahead of the curve, with opinions on things that most of us didn't even know existed (birdcage Maseratis (?)). She was a person of distinction.
Linda and Bill Baxter
January 9, 2026
We are so sorry to hear of Reggie"s passing, Charlie. Sending prayers.
Lori Glenn
January 9, 2026
I´m in shock. Regina was a friend and a mentor I am grateful for her friendship and guidance when we worked at RMW. She will be missed.
Steve Nutter
January 9, 2026
Aloha Oe Regina . You are missed already !
Jim Pelander
January 9, 2026
So sorry for your loss Charlie!
Kathy Countryman
January 9, 2026
So sorry for the loss of your beloved.
Marne Norden
January 9, 2026
I knew Regina (we called her Reggie) in high school. She was a really nice person. This is a complete shock. So sorry for our loss.
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