Paul John Schleipfer

Paul was born May 9th, 1969 in Arlington Heights, IL, to Michael and Elizabeth Schleipfer. The Schleipfer family moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 1972, where Paul attended school and graduated from Saguaro High School in 1987. After graduation, he pursued further education earning a degree in broadcasting and completed additional business coursework. Paul passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026 after a valiant battle with Colorectal Cancer. He was 57 years old.

Paul was the youngest of three boys. He spent his childhood accompanying his dad and brothers on numerous trips to Payson for working on the family cabin, camping, fishing, and rock collecting. Growing up, Paul enjoyed drawing and had a knack for creating caricatures and flyers advertising local events and parties. Toward the end of high school and after graduating, Paul thrived in his role as the Program & Youth Development Director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Paul assisted with fund raising for dozens of Arizona charities and implementing youth programs, earning recognition for his achievements and character. The love of the outdoors and adventurous spirit that began in his childhood remained with him throughout his life. As a father, some of Paul's greatest joys were sharing that love with his children, taking them on adventures to explore ghost towns in his cherished Jeep and creating memories they will always treasure.

It is difficult to encapsulate Paul in just a few words because, if you knew him, you understood that his inventive mind was constantly engaged in creating and improving. He would shift from designing products intended to stand out, to planning backyard gardens, sharing art ideas for farmer’s markets, creating hydroponic pond layouts, or discussing ideas for building a small off-grid "earthship" community. Most notably, Paul also had a grand vision for bringing the World's Fair to Arizona. His ideas were always limitless, expansive and heartfelt, and he genuinely enjoyed sharing his visions with like-minded friends and family.

Paul had a personality that made his presence unmistakable the moment he entered a room. His warmth, quick wit, and interest in people allowed him to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, often leaving them smiling. He had an infectious laugh that those who knew him will never forget. He also had a deep love for comedy, especially stand-up, and found great joy in sharing laughter with others. These qualities made him an exceptional DJ and host, one of the roles he cherished for many years in his own entertainment and production company. For Paul, it was never just about playing music—it was about creating an atmosphere where people could relax, laugh, connect, and enjoy themselves.

During his career in the audio industry, Paul spent more than two decades helping develop innovative products and bringing creative ideas to life. His work opened doors to collaborations with well-known entertainers, television productions, and industry leaders. He took particular pride in designing products that blended creativity with technical excellence, including his own award-winning speaker lamp. Paul's ingenuity, dedication, and passion for innovation earned him the respect of colleagues and friends throughout the industry.

Although Paul held various jobs and explored many hobbies over many years, his greatest blessings and source of pride were his two children, Erik and Mackenzie. Paul’s children were his unwavering inspiration throughout his battle with cancer. From daily FaceTime calls to sharing funny reels and memes, to spending quality time together, those moments continually renewed Paul's determination to fight. His smile was infectious, yet it shone brightest when he was with his children.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Schleipfer and father Michael Schleipfer, as well as his eldest brother, Michael “Mike” Schleipfer Jr. He is survived by his son Erik Schleipfer, his daughter Mackenzie Schleipfer (and her fiancé Timothy Whyte), his brothers Christian Schleipfer (Lisa) and Mark Schleipfer (Jen), nephews Michael, Alex, Peter, and George, and cousins Sofie (Ken) Racine, who provided tremendous support throughout his journey. Additionally, he leaves behind many friends and colleagues who have shared over forty years of stories and memories that will endure a lifetime.

We will be celebrating Paul’s life this Fall. For those that would love to share stories and support his family as these memories will help them carry his legacy. We will post on his Facebook page and ask you to forward to those who may not be on social media.