Paul Munch, BHS '67 (1949-2017)

Just received this very sad note from Carolyn...
"I'm heartbroken to tell you my wonderful husband, Paul, passed away November 15th. We met at Valley College in 1967 and have been together ever since."



Obituary
Paul Munch
Feb. 10, 1949 — Nov. 15, 2017

Paul Munch, a 30-year resident of Davis, passed away Nov. 15, 2017.

Paul was born in Glendale, Calif., in 1949. He enjoyed growing up in Burbank where he and his pals had a great time. He graduated from Burbank High in 1967. He attended Valley College for two years and transferred to UC Santa Barbara where he received his B.S. (1972) in zoology. He received his M.S. at San Diego State University (1975) in zoology. He then attended the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and received his Ph.D. (1985) in human physiology and molecular biophysics.

When he was at Valley College in 1967, he met Carolyn Diehl. He and Carolyn married in the Diehl family back yard in 1972.

After Galveston, Paul had a two-year postdoctoral Fellowship at UC San Diego where he began his career in biomedical research. He then moved to Davis and worked at UC Davis for 21 years, retiring in 2008.

Paul had many and varied interests. He delighted in making the multi-layer chocolate cake for his and Carolyn’s wedding. He participated in many competitive sports: cross country running, track, volleyball, racquetball, baseball and tennis. He also enjoyed being on the water to surf, canoe and sail. He spent a lot of time reading, learning and problem-solving. He enjoyed projects around the house, including putting on a new roof and making a picket fence.

He was also quite an adventurer. He worked as a seasonal national park ranger for eight summers in Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks. For three of those summers he and Carolyn lived in the wilderness in a one-room cabin at 10,500 feet with no electricity, bathroom or running water. They loved to travel in their VW van and went on many trips throughout the U.S. and Canada fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, and sailing.

They traveled the Baja Peninsula on a surfing trip. They drove the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks and took the Alaska Ferry through the intercostal waterway to Seattle. While in Galveston, they bought a small catamaran with another couple. Paul and Dave sailed the intercoastal waterway from Mexico to Galveston. They also sailed around Galveston Island. Paul and Carolyn also enjoyed many tours to Europe.

Paul was predeceased by his parents, Maxine Munch and Also Munch, and his brother Norm. His survivors include Carolyn Munch, his loving wife of 45 years, sister Dianna McCarthy, sister-in-law Kathy Helliesen (Bob), nephew Rob Helliesen, nieces Emily Helliesen Day (Adam) and Elizabeth Helliesen, great-niece Hattie Day and cousins Martha Schultz and John Hoehn.

Paul and Carolyn had an especially close and loving relationship. He was a fun, thoughtful, hard-working, honorable man. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Paul lived with Lewy body dementia for several years. His last year was extremely difficult. Paul’s family would like to extend a special thank you to two of his excellent caregivers, Tiffany and Wendy. Yolo Hospice also was very helpful.

A service of remembrance will be held Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road, Davis, CA 95616.

Donations may be made to www.yolohospice.org or www.communicarehc.org.

http://www.davisenterprise.com/obits/paul-munch/

 

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A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS
David Hourigan
Paul was a classy guy even in high school. Very sad.

Annette Dinolfo Bennett
RIP! Just loved his smile. And Paul was always so nice to me 😢

Tammy Klinger Another
Bulldog ..... sad! Prayers for his family!

Carol Forrand Tallakson
Prayers of comfort

Vicki Herrin Fields
Rest in Peace, Paul.

Adele Bassett
RIP

Shari Deuel Johnson
So saddened to read this. We were friends since kindergarten and I'll remember our walks home. A kind kind man.

Kariand Steve Galloway
He was my brother Mike’s friend. A great guy to a little brother

Mike Fasano
God bless

Carol Brown Baker
I am so sorry to hear the news of Paul's passing. My heart breaks for Carolyn.

Pat Bushman
My condolences to Paul’s family and friends. Rest In Peace.

Kathy Bice
So sorry 🙏🏻 to the family

Betty Wareham Worland
Oh no! I am so sorry. My deepest condolences to Carolyn and his family and many friends. <3 br="">
Carrie Diaz-Lathouwers
My condolences to Carolyn and all the family and friends if Paul. Rest in peace Paul.

Alan Landros
How very sad for Carolyn. I'm so sorry to hear this news. I knew Carolyn's parents, Bob and Myrt, very well, a loving couple, and good friends to my folks.

Jeanette Alexander
Gods blessings 👼🙏❤️

Louise Good Hernandez
So sorry to hear this and for Carolyn's loss.

Carol Nicholls Lebrecht
My condolences to Carolyn. Last time I saw Carolyn and Paul we were at the BHS Awards Night for our Class of 1967 Swim Team. I probably talked to Paul more that night then I had in High School. He was a were nice man.

Jodean Ardizzone Myers
God Bless.

Suzanne Lane Richard
So sorry to hear this. Paul was always such a nice guy.

Mary Boriso Jordan
So very sorry....May God bless and comfort the family....Hugs and prayers...

Waneen Cormier Post-Marks
Thoughts and prayers for friends and family.

Pamela Roberts Spang
So very sad to hear this news. Peace be with you all at this time

Judy Ditson Padilla
Carolyn - So sorry for your loss. My Jesus give you and your family comfort and peace.

Linda Green Nicholson
RIP

Marilyn Williams Peterson
Such sad news. I was wondering where they were at the reunion. That would explain it. Both of them were such wonderful classmates.

Pam Kirkwood
We did not know him...But, We are so sorry for the loss of Paul...

Dani Marie Kleist
So sad to hear about Paul's passing. I really enjoyed talking with Paul and Carolyn at our reunions. I will miss him. Peace be with Carolyn and all of Paul's family.

Susan Casimano
Heartbreaking💔 What a wonderful man and sweet high school friend- always smiling and nice to everyone. Wonderful couple. My love to Carol, who loved him so much❤️

Brenda Rossie-soto
Sending prayers and condolences to family and friends

Deanna Lloyd Jennings
My heart goes out to you Carolyn. I've known Paul since Emerson elementary days. A sweetheart. You and Paul were so devoted to each other. It was so obvious. Such sad news.

Heidi Terrio
I remember the name Paul Munch. It would be my brother, Ken Powers, who knew him better. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He was too young to die. My heart goes out to his family. I am sure he is happy and free, more than he ever thought! 🙏🏻💞

Dona Foy Porcaro Bruckner
This news breaks my heart, Paul was such a great guy, always smiling and a kind word for everyone. I have known Paul since Emerson and always looked forward to visiting with Paul and Carolyn at the reunions. Such a sad day😂.

Scott Bruckner
I join Dona in her comments. Our condolences to his family. Such a wonderful person.

Joan Nobile Ortega
Such sad news. Paul was a good guy. Fred and I are keeping Carolyn in our prayers. RIP Paul.

Neal Steven Hershenson
Paul was my sprinting guide on. As a BHS senior, I finally equaled his 5.9-second 50-yard dash...he ran in the 7th grade at Muir.

Julie Fear Oliver
No one knows what to say to those left behind we will pray dear father we thank you for this time the time that they had together and we thank you for their family we know that this time here on earth has been precious and their family is joined in the wonderful nurse of treasured memories that we shall never forget God is good he is gracious with none of us leave this life alive and we just pray to the Almighty for her eternal peace and happiness know that one day that we will see your sister in Christ again and Jesus and we pray amen Jules

Cathy Nicholls Coyle
So sad to hear this news. It was great reconnecting with Paul & Carolyn at our class events. Paul was the epitome of a gentleman & a scholar. All my best to Carolyn.

Betsey Nash
Paul was one of my brother, Dave's best friends, and Dave will be very sorry that he is gone. As am I; Paul was always fun to be around and reading his obituary is an inspiration & reminder to live every day to it's fullest, isn't it? Love to the family.

Mark Pollock
Paul was a true gentleman. so sorry, Carolyn...

Kent Barcus
Paul always came across as genuine and a gentleman.

NOTE AND PHOTO FROM CAROLYN
Carolyn sent this great photo and note: "Hi Cathy, I'm overwhelmed by the sweet and wonderful comments about my Paul! Thank you for posting about him. Here is the last picture taken of him and me. August 2016
Love,
Carolyn"



Pamela Roberts Spang
What a beautiful picture to hold onto...Peace be with you Carolyn and family.

Dona Foy Porcaro Bruckner
What a great picture, captures Paul's fantastic smile and the love they share. Carolyn, our thoughts and prayers are with you. You and Paul are loved my many

Diana Dunnagan
I'm sad for the loss of a fine man, friend, and class mate.

Shari Diane Goodstein Epstein
Dearest Caroline I'm so sorry for your loss.
Paul was always a wonderful and kind person. His smile was always soo welcoming. Please remember we are all here for you if you need us.