Harry Richard “Heru” Hall was a dedicated East Palo Alto community advocate whose work centered on preserving the city’s agricultural heritage, empowering youth, and supporting grassroots urban agriculture initiativs.¹,²,³

Born in 1957, Hall spent most of his life in East Palo Alto, California, building a reputation for hands-on community engagement. According to Peter Drekmeier, “Heru also was a great musician [and] a star quarterback at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto.”

In the 1990s, he began participating actively in neighborhood projects aimed at fostering food justice and sustainable gardening, contributing to educational and cultural events focused on environmental stewardship.

‍In the mid-1990s Heru was a regular p at the East Palo Alto Community Garden, also known as the Weeks Street Garden — a vibrant urban agriculture space that provided fresh produce and educational opportunities for local residents.

He is documented as a “farmer and community activist” who worked to connect city residents with local agriculture and traditions, especially through projects like the Weeks Neighborhood initiative and collaborations with other grassroots organizations.¹

Hall also took on leadership and outreach roles in youth empowerment programs, offering guidance and support to local young people and creative groups; he was noted for his mentorship and connection to East Palo Alto’s artistic and cultural scene. Throughout his career, Heru Hall advocated for green spaces and outdoor recreation as part of comprehensive city planning processes, lending his voice and labor to efforts documented in civic archives focused on parks, open spaces, and community agriculture.⁴,⁵

Heru Hall passed away unexpectedly in March 2021. He is remembered as a passionate community builder, talented radio host, and champion of East Palo Alto’s historic and agricultural legacy.²,³