May 25, 1948 – May 14, 2013,Paul was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and spent his childhood there.  He spoke often of the many hours he spent playing in Jacobus Park which was the beginning of his love for the forest and trees. He grew up around gear heads and engineers, which sparked his interest in building things, and gave him the confidence that he could design and build anything. He attended high school at Northwestern Military and Naval Academy in Lake Geneva, graduated with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was Battalion Commander.  He excelled and received many honors there.  He attended the University of Wisconsin Whitewater where he studied Biology, and Chemistry.  After college Paul traveled around the country and found his piece of paradise in rural LaFarge where he put down roots.

 

He was married to his wife Marcia on November 6, 1971 and together they built their home and grew their family and their forest.  They planted thousands of trees on their property.  Paul always did what he wanted to do in life and dreamed big.  He set out to learn whatever he needed to know to accomplish the next project and was always excited to share his knowledge with anyone who was interested or would listen.  He recently retired from Kickapoo Woods Cooperative.

 

His interests included time with friends & family, sharing his knowledge, teaching, traveling, sailing, gardening and his beloved woods.  He loved to cook for family and friends and was very good at it.

 

He is survived by his wife of 41 years Marcia, daughters Emma (Brian) Peterson and Mona (Jeff Carey) Bader, grandchildren Forrest and Xavier Bader-Thompson and Mara & Jorgia Peterson.  He was preceded in death by his sisters Annette Koenig, Barbara Murtaugh and Mary Dewhurst.

 

Paul and his family were blessed to be able to care for him at home until his time to leave this earth. We are eternally grateful for the love and support of friends, family and co-workers.  Special thanks to Dr. DeLine and providers at LaFarge Medical Clinic.  In life and in death Paul did it “his way”.  He had been looking forward to a birthday party next week, instead we will have a Celebration of Life gathering of friends on May 25 at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve from 3-7pm with time for sharing at 4:30. Light lunch will be served and if you wish, please bring a dish to pass. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to La Farge Food Pantry or other organization of your choice.

 

Paul didn’t wait until he was old to plant trees and nurture his forest but we felt this quote seemed fitting:

 

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”.