Paul Lang

Paul was a fiercely devoted & loving husband, father, brother, uncle, son & friend. He was known for his kindness, his plaid short sleeve shirts, never, ever, wearing a coat and especially, his generosity and loyalty. The 6th child of 9, Paul and his younger twin sister, Paulette, were born to Louise and Frank Lang in Tipton, Missouri. In school he excelled in Math and Science. He joined the choir in high school. From an early age, Paul had an incredible work ethic. Starting at 12, he delivered newspapers, worked in the hay fields, at a pool table factory and a turkey farm, all to pay for college at University of Texas, El Paso, He earned a Mathematics degree in 1973. An uncle from a young age, his exploits were legendary to his nieces and nephews: eating a McDonald's burger in 1 bite, trips to the 5&50 for root beer floats, and laundry basket rides just to name a few. He secured a job at Texas Instruments and was sent to work at the Naval Research Laboratory, becoming a civil servant there for 11 years. He and his dear friend Bill Fink left NRL for NASA/Goddard where they continued to work together. Paul was a principal network engineer there for 31 years.

In September 1995, Lynn asked him out. By July 1996, he bought a house in Derwood, two miles from her parents. In December they married. and Paul became a doting and encouraging father to Matthew. In the summer of 1997, Paul found out he was going to be the father of a little girl. His reaction was an exuberant Tigger dance. In 1998, he & Lynn had Maggie. He was an amazing father and a good builder. He built a play house in the family room and put a swing in the rafters for the kids. He was always prepared for any circumstance having batteries, tape measures, fingernail clippers, flashlights and pens at the ready at all times. He was the tech guru for Lynn's family, friends, and school, even fixing things for his Primary Care Doctor.

During the pandemic he helped create a safe outdoor space for the family to gather in the carport, eventually screening most of it. Paul never failed to help when he could. Even when it was inconvenient, he did his utmost to lift burdens from those he encountered. He was famous in the neighborhood for shoveling the snow from all his neighbor's driveways, shirtless. Paul was always up for a road trip to Missouri, even though he was not the best navigator. Once he ended up in Louisville. KY and another time in Pittsburgh, PA which earned him the title of "Wrong Way Dad!" Paul loved to eat chili rellenos at El Azteca in Clarksville, MD and he did so every chance he got. When he liked someone they had a friend for life.

Paul worked tirelessly during his life but did his best work at home as beloved hubby & Dad aka "Daddy-Da" and "A-day." He was and continues to be a blessing to all those fortunate enough to have had him in their lives.

Paul’s private family mass will be Monday, August 9, 2021. There will be a bigger celebration of life in the fall when the leaves turn because that was his favorite time of year and that gives us time to plan something that will truly honor Paul.