WALNUT CREEK, CA — Paul R. Brown passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5, 2016 at Anne’s Guest Home from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. He was surrounded by his three loving daughters. He was 82 years old.

Paul was born on January 4, 1934 in Augusta, Maine. His family lived in Freeport and then Brunswick where he graduated from Brunswick High School in 1953. After graduating from high school, Paul worked at the Bath Iron Works until he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955. After basic training he was stationed at Chanute Field in Illinois where he was an instructor at the jet engine mechanic school.

On a three-day pass from the Air Force he hitchhiked up to Appleton Wisconsin to visit a friend who introduced him to his future wife Lois Merkel. Paul and Lois were married on October 13, 1956.

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1959 he attended the University of Illinois. He graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and he continued his education years later receiving his Masters Degree in Business Administration from St. Mary’s College of California.

Paul and his family lived in Akron, New York where he was the Chief Engineer at Strippit from 1965 to 1979. After receiving an offer to be the Vice President of Engineering at Pacific Press and Shear in California, Paul and his family moved to Walnut Creek. Paul was always a great provider for his family, as well as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren called him Grampy.

Paul is survived by his daughters, Julie Brown (Bridges Stewart), Karen (Anthony) Garcia, and Sheila (David) Kilgore along with his grandchildren Nikki, Garrett, Emilio, Mateo, and Dominic and 8 nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by Lois, his wife of 50 years, his parents Joseph Dexter and Mary Frances Brown, brother Dexter Brown, sisters Patricia Dalton and Eileen Menard.

Paul loved the state of Maine and would talk about it often. Everyone always enjoyed hearing his many stories about his travels and adventures. He loved the rocky coast with its beautiful waves, lighthouses and lobster boats. Paul and Lois would travel to Maine every fall to spend their anniversary enjoying their favorite season and all the beautiful colored leaves. This fall their ashes will be scattered into the ocean off the coast of Maine near Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.

Paul (and his stories) will be missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful man who was always willing to help with any building or repair project as he had the ability to “fix anything”. He was a true perfectionist and many of his projects will remain with us forever.