David Melvin Paul

He was born on September 10, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Houston, Texas . He was awarded an M.A. in Humanities by the University of Chicago and served for three years in the U.S. Navy. David became a technical writer and then an exhibit designer and producer. His projects included the U.S. Science Pavilion in the Seattle World's Fair, 1962.

David married Margareta from Linkoping, Sweden in 1964. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. During their 60 years of marriage they lived in Washington, DC, had two boys, Frederic and Daniel who both settled in the area, and five grandchildren. David’s eldest son, David William from a previous marriage resides in Columbus Ohio.

He joined the United States Information Agency in 1966 as a producer of cultural exchange exhibitions. Over his ensuing 30-year USIA career David travelled widely throughout the Eastern Bloc as well as various other countries with exhibits he and his team developed about American life, lifestyle, science and history.

David received a Swedish language certificate from Uppsala University, Sweden in 1976 and with Margareta, he became a translator of Swedish books and documents. Over the years, he also wrote several articles published in the Washington Post Magazine, and published his first book, John Ericsson and the Engines of Exile in 2016.

He is survived by his wife Margareta, sons David (wife Carrie), Frederic (wife Rocio) and Daniel (wife Laura) and grandchildren, Alexander, Giovanni, Avery, Riley and Olivia as well as sister Donna (husband Rex).

The funeral service will be held on February 1 at 2 pm at the Augustana Lutheran Church, 2100 New Hampshire Ave, N.W. Washington, DC. 20009. A reception will follow in the church social hall.