Robert Mercier Paul, 94

Robert Mercier Paul was born in 1915 in New York City, the son of George A. and Mabel Paul. He passed away due to natural causes at Willamette View Manor in Portland on Jan. 3, 2010, at the age of 94. In the accelerated curriculum, Robert graduated in three years from Morris High School in New York. He then had a senior year at Mount Herman Prep School. During his youth he was very active in Boy Scouts, especially the Sea Scouts, and attained Eagle Scout rank. His scouting greatly influenced his love of the water and his years in the Navy and his summers as a ranger in Glacier National Park. Robert graduated from Columbia University in New York. While attending college, he would return from the family Jersey coast cottage in time to teach Sunday school classes. Having graduated during the Depression, he worked in commerce for an importing firm and also for R.H. Macy. His first teaching assignment was at Wasatch Academy ( a Presbyterian boarding school) in Mount Pleasant, Utah. Here he met and courted Mary Benbow, who was a home economics teacher at the Academy. In 1942 Robert volunteered for the Navy and was the commanding officer of an LCI, participating in the amphibious landings in North Africa, Italy, and France during D-Day. In November 1943, Robert and Mary were married by her father, the Rev. Earl William Benbow, in Seattle. Robert remained active in the Navel Reserve and retired as lieutenant commander. Following World War II, Robert received his master s degree in teaching of mathematics from Columbia University. He taught on Long Island before moving west to McMinnville, Ore. There, Robert taught math and later also became dean of boys at McMinnville High School, retiring in 1977 after 32 rewarding years. After retiring he enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and internationally. Bob began his 53-year seasonal career with the National Park Service on July 14, 1947, as trailcrew/fireguard/camp-tender at per hour, before becoming a ranger. Assigned stations began and ended at Bowman Lake, but also included Many Glacier, Kintla Lake, East Glacier, Waterton (Goathaunt), Two Medicine, Logging Creek and Walton. He earned a Superior Service Award and was affectionately known as Bowman Bob. Robert was an active member of the McMinnville First Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis before moving to Willamette View Manor in Portland and transferring membership to Moreland Presbyterian Church. He was an avid hiker, birder and fisherman, and a very accomplished boatman with canoes, sailboats, pleasure craft, patrol boats and LCIs. Survivors include Mary, his wife of 66 years; and daughters, Janet Bones and husband Stan, Nancy Trembath and husband Rick, and Mac Bones, Jodie Bones, Laura Trembath Pieri, and Paula Trembath. Robert was preceded in death by his older brother, George T. Paul. A memorial service was held on Jan. 8 at Moreland Presbyterian Church in Portland, with the Rev. Tom McKnight leading the service. Cremation has taken place by Macy and Son Funeral Home in McMinnville. A special thank you to all of Bob s caregivers, including Hospice. Memorial gifts maybe given to The Salvation Army, or to a charity of the donor s choice.