Paul William Athan

During WWII he served on the destroyer USS Nicholas as an electrician 3rd class and was awarded 10 battle stars for service in the South Pacific.

After the war Paul entered the University of Wisconsin and began his lifelong study of gerontology. He met Sylvia Content Swingle and they married in 1949. While working for the Defense Department he was moved to San Diego where they raised 5 children.

While working for General Dynamics he was appointed to the National Security Industrial Association Ad Hoc Advisory Committee to NASA where he wrote their sub system specifications. He then went on to Douglas Aircraft Company before finding a home with the University of California as their employment officer setting up hiring programs for the state system.

Paul was appointed by County Supervisors to the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs in 1973 and wrote proposals for the State of California. He helped establish the Hospice program in San Diego County; served on boards for United Cerebral Palsy; San Diego Adult Protective Service; and founded a chapter of the World Future Society. He worked with the committee to bring the Lamaze birthing method to San Diego and advocated for fathers to be allowed in the delivery room. He pursued his P.h.D. in Human Behavior and Leadership with a specialty in Aging from USIU.

In 1981 Paul retired from the University system and took his most rewarding job as the director of the Joslyn Senior Center in Escondido, CA.

Paul retired in 1991 and spent time traveling the world. He always stayed active and said his Tai Chi and Chi Gong exercises kept him young.

His goal was to live to 112, and even though at 91 he fell short of that goal, he lived his life to the fullest and made this world a better place. Paul left a beautiful and flourishing legacy in his family. He is survived by his brother, Richard Athan of Sheboygan, WI; his sister, Evelyn Durvis of San Diego, CA; his sons Charles of Poway, CA; Kip of W. Lafayette, IN; Nicholas of Chetumal, Mexico; his daughters, Monava of Sultan, WA; Cristy of Kamuela, HI, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

His interment will be at Miramar National Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Humphrey, Chula Vista, CA.