He was raised in Owatonna and graduated from Marian High School in 1962. A graduate of Mankato State University, Paul was a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army. He served as a combat assault helicopter pilot and flight commander in Cambodia and Vietnam with the 9 ^th Infantry Division. He graduated from flight school in 1968 and 10 days later took part in a combat assault on the Y Bridge in Saigon. Using call sign Jayhawk 21, his 1392 flight hours during the Vietnam war were mainly combat assault and support missions. In 1969, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his heroic efforts. After completing a career as a weapons consultant in Washington DC, Paul returned to Minnesota to be closer to his family during his retirement years.

Preceded in death by his parents and niece, Catherine Quintal, he is survived by his sisters Ann Hoven (Don Lipsey) of Maple Grove; Mary Kristo (Steve Maier) and Julie Quintal both of Rochester; nieces Alaina Quintal and Rachel Lipsey; and nephews Aaron Kristo, Matt Kristo, Nathan Kristo and Adam Lipsey.

A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, January 14, at 11:00 am, in the River Park Chapel of the Macken Funeral Home located at 1105 – 12th St SE in Rochester. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Gift of Life House, 705 – 2 ^nd St SW, Rochester, MN 55902.