BOMBER MEMORIAL

PAUL VINCENT WEICHEL ~ Class of 1951
November 4, 1932 - July 4, 2014

Paul Weichel - Jr. Portrait ~ Paul Weichel - 1951 - Sr. Portrait

Paul Weichel ~ recent

On July 4, 2014, Paul passed away peacefully while surrounded by family after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born November 4, 1932, to Clarence and Winifred Weichel, Paul was raised with his older brother Willis in Littleton, CO.

They moved to Richland, in 1945. Paul proudly enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. Stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato, CA he served in wartime Korea.

A chance meeting while roller skating with friends at the San Rafael Roller Rink, Paul met Kathryn - the love of his life. They married in 1956 and were blessed with daughter Dawna and son Craig, eventually settling in Larkspur, CA.

The mutual love and appreciation Kay and Paul had for each other was always evident and continued for the next 53 years. Paul spent a lifetime helping others. His long career of public service began when he became a policeman for the City of Belvedere; after which he worked for the Town of Corte Madera in the Public Works Department. During his tenure with the Public Works he became a volunteer firefighter for both the Corte Madera and Larkspur Fire Departments. Paul's long and dedicated career as a full time firefighter began in 1973 with the Larkspur Fire Department. Although he retired in 1986, his loyalty and dedication to the firefighting communitiy continued for many years.

In 1990 Paul and Kay moved to Santa Rosa, CA. Together they shared many interests and found great pleasure spending time with family and entertaining countless dear friends. As members of the Adobe Squares Square Dance Club, Paul and Kay participated in dances throughout the U.S., traveling in their RV with their beloved dog, Mr. Jiggs.

Always interested in electronics and computers, Paul was also an avid HAM radio operator, eventually taking on his father's call sign of W7KIN. In later years both Paul and Kay enjoyed volunteering at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Rosa.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Kay; his parents and brother Willis ('49).

Paul is survived by his children Dawna and Craig (Patty); grandchildren Zach and Shawn; his beloved niece and nephews, and many cherished friends.

Celebration of Life was held on September 20, 2014, at the American Legion Hall in Larkspur, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, 4534 Mission St, Suite 5, San Francisco, CA 94112.

Published in Marin Independent Journal on July 20, 2014.