Paul Richard Wolkenberg
November 10, 1944 – April 14, 2011
Paul Richard Wolkenberg, age 66, passed away at home on Wednesday April 14, 2011. Paul was born November 11, 1944 in Long Beach, California, while his father was fighting in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Paul and his sister, Kathy, were raised by their parents, Herman and Theresa in Middletown, New York.
Always a high achiever, he excelled as a pitcher in baseball and in his school work. His high scores on the New York State regent’s exams earned him a full scholarship to Manhattan College where he earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering, graduating at the top of his class and earning entry into the Tau Beta Pi Honor Society. During this period he was part of the Air Force ROTC, having marched twice in New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Paul was a devout Catholic.
Traveling to California for an internship with David Packard (Hewlett-Packard) in the burgeoning tech industry in Silicon Valley; his grandfather, promoting Paul’s devotion to high performance automobiles, bought him a 1964½ gold Mustang convertible. Following his undergraduate work, Paul attended graduate school at Carnegie Tech (GSIA -Carnegie-Mellon University) where he received his Master’s in Industrial Administration. While he was in Pittsburgh during his studies, he fell for a beautiful red-headed, Irish, student nurse. Patti and Paul were married on June 10, 1967 and have shared 43 amazing years together.
Paul and Pat spent the next several years in New Jersey and Northern Virginia where Paul worked for Enjay Chemical, Research Analysis Corporation, and the Federal Home Loan Bank. In the early 1970’s, they moved back to Pittsburgh with their young daughter, Beth, and soon after, their son Matt was born. Paul worked in several leadership roles at Mellon Bank, and in 1988, made the bold move to head south to Texas with his family for an opportunity that led to senior leadership positions at American Capital, Van Kampen, Morgan Stanley, and Dean Witter.
Paul embraced every aspect of his life. He was never at a loss for words, nor the energy to try all things new and exciting. This son of New York City turned into a Texas rancher, a redfish angler, and an enthusiast of the Texas country roads. He traveled to Sebring for the races with his son, attended Longhorn football games with his daughter, and spent countless hours exploring the world with his wife, Pat. He was an active board member with Sheltering Arms and Stand Up for Kids.
Paul is survived by his wife, Patricia, daughter Beth and her husband, Alex Delledera, son Matthew and his wife, Brandy, most dear grand-daughter, Isabelle, and grandson on-the-way, his sister, Kathy Harmeling and her sons, DJ and Paul and their families. He is preceded in death by his father and his mother.
The true joy in Paul’s life was his family. The happiness he felt when he was with his extended family, the Wolkenberg’s, Horgan’s, Brisky’s, Delledera’s, and Schadt’s was immeasurable. His life was a gift to all who knew him.
A visitation will be held Monday, April 18, 2011 from 6:00p.m. until 9:00p.m. in the Chapel of Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77079. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 10:30a.m. at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community Church, 1530 Norwalk Drive Katy, Texas 77450.
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Wolkenberg, Paul Richard [MC???? RIP]
Guestbook: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=paul-wolkenberg&pid=150386134
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Dear John,
I believe that Paul is a member of the Class of 1965.
May He Rest In Peace.
Mike
McEneney, Mike (MC1953)
[JR: Thanks, Mike. Much appreciated.]
Wolkenberg, Paul Richard [MC1965 RIP]
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