Mr. Paul Albert Pritchard

Paul attended Merced High School, where he met the love of his life, Margaret Coats. Paul and Margaret were married on August 11, 1956 and lived in Berkeley, Ca while Paul attended the University of California at Berkeley. Paul graduated in 1959 and worked as a civil engineer for Standard Oil Company before he and Margaret moved to Fresno in 1962. Paul joined McPheeter Associates and was there for several years before venturing out.

In October 1968, Paul co-founded the civil engineering firm Provost & Pritchard. With his friend and co-founder Jim Provost, the firm grew to 154 employees at its peak. There are currently five office locations in Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Oakdale. Paul retired from Provost & Pritchard in 2003, but continued to assist with projects from time to time. Paul was extremely proud of the firm he and Jim founded. It has been built into one of the pre-eminent civil engineering companies in California.

In March 1967, Paul and Margaret's first son, Brad, was born. In 1972, they welcomed another son, Marc. With two sons, Paul was active with Indian Guides, baseball, and ice hockey. Paul was a coach to some of Marc's ice hockey teams, all the while without knowing how to skate! Paul was so dedicated to his children that he often spent his weekends driving them to practices and games throughout Northern California, including one season where Brad played for the Squaw Valley hockey team, and many late Sunday night all-star practices in Stockton with both boys.

Paul served as president of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the California Council of Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors in 1975. Paul was also an active member of the Rotary Club, serving as President of the Clovis Rotary from 1977 to1978. In the last few months, Paul was very excited to attend a luncheon of many past Presidents.

In addition to all the activities with his children, he and Margaret were avid travelers for many years, often with their good friends, John and Judy Woods. Their numerous trips included several cities in the U.S., a boat cruise on the Rhine River, the Panama Canal, Mexico, the Caribbean, Russia, China, and Japan. Paul enjoyed being outdoors - especially hunting, fishing and working in the yard. He was enthusiastic about history and building his train set. Paul always had a project going at home, which he would work on with precision. He was truly a civil engineer at heart!

Paul was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed and remain in our hearts and thoughts forever.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife; and brother Neal.

He is survived by his brother, Gary; his son, Brad and his wife Suzanne; his son, Marc and his wife Joanne; his granddaughters, Heather and Mackenzie; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Paul's name to your favorite charity.