Paul M. Pedersen

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Paul M. Pedersen passed peacefully surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of Sheila B. Pedersen (nee Beglin) for nearly 70 years; loving father of Anne Berthold (Sherwood “Bud”) of Raymond, MS, John Pedersen (Hopelyn Call) of Baltimore, MD, Mary Szczawinski (Michael) of Phoenix, MD, and father in law of Annette Swatt (Leo Shelton) of Perry Hall, MD; cherished grandfather of William "Billy" Berthold (Nicole Beard Steele) of Brookhaven, MS, Kari Anne Karr (Christopher) of Glendale, AZ, Erik Pedersen (Kathryn “Katie” Phipps) of Perry Hall, MD, Kirsten “Maggie” Pedersen of New Haven, CT, Andruw Szczawinski (Emily) of Freeland, MD, and Tyler Szczawinski (Kelsey Talley) of Reston, VA; treasured great grandfather of Riley Pedersen of Perry Hall, MD and as of January 2027, Meadow Pedersen of Perry Hall, MD; dear brother of Lillian Chamberlin of Northport, NY.

From an early age, Paul was an avid baseball fan, with a particular devotion to the Brooklyn Dodgers. He would come home from school and eagerly listen to their games on the radio, following the team with the enthusiasm of a lifelong fan. When the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957, he was heartbroken. A few years later, in 1962, he found a new team to cheer for, the New York Mets. His allegiance was made perfectly clear by his oft-repeated declaration: “I hate the Yankees!”

His devotion and loyalty extended far beyond baseball. In 1950, he began dating the woman who would become the love of his life, Sheila. They married in 1955 and remained faithfully devoted to one another for more than 69 years, sharing more than 75 years together as a couple. Both were raised on Long Island, New York, where they lived for more than 65 years. In 1997, they moved to Maryland to be closer to their grandchildren, beginning another wonderful chapter of their life together.

Paul served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean War era. Though he did not ultimately serve in Korea, he faithfully fulfilled his military duties during a time of great significance for our nation. For his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant, having answered the call to serve his country with quiet dedication.

Paul’s professional accomplishments were quite remarkable. During his years working for Grumman in the 1960s, he was part of the team involved in the design of the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module (LEM). The LEM became one of the most significant spacecrafts in human history, carrying astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface of the moon. It successfully landed mankind on the moon six times during the Apollo missions. Perhaps most famously, the LEM played a critical role in the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew, serving as a lifeboat after the mission's command module was crippled. Through his work, Paul became part of one of the most extraordinary achievements in human history.

After retiring, he took up golf and quickly embraced the game for all the right reasons. He especially enjoyed playing with family and former Grumman co-workers. While he appreciated the game, Paul was far more interested in the exercise, fresh air, and companionship than in posting a low score. For him, golf was another opportunity to spend time with people he enjoyed and connecting with nature.

Life in Maryland for the Pedersen’s was enriched by the presence of two beloved Shelties who became cherished members of the family. Their first love was Misty, followed by their second love, Mystic. A typical day included taking them for walks and enjoying their constant, attentive companionship. They were not simply pets; they were an important part of the life he and Sheila shared.

Retirement also gave them the opportunity to travel. They loved exploring the country in their RV and made an annual tradition of traveling to Florida for three months each year. Over the years, they visited 47 of the 48 lower states, with Oregon being the lone exception. They also traveled to Hawaii and Alaska, although those trips were not made in their RV. Their travels provided them with countless memories and experiences that they treasured together.

Paul was also an avid bicycle rider and remained remarkably active well into his 90s. Even during his 95th year, it was not unusual for him to ride 15 miles in a day. His dedication to cycling was extraordinary. In 2021, at the age of 90, he rode more than 3,800 miles, a remarkable accomplishment that reflected his energy, determination, and zest for life.

But perhaps his greatest source of pride and joy was his family, especially his six grandchildren. His love for them was beyond measure. He cherished every visit and phone call and was always genuinely interested in hearing about their lives, their accomplishments, and their careers. He took great pride in the fine young men and women they had become and followed their lives with a level of interest and enthusiasm that made each of them feel deeply loved and important.

His life was defined by loyalty, to his wife and family, to his friends, to his work, and even to his favorite baseball team. He experienced history through his work on the Apollo program, embraced adventure through his travels, stayed active through golf and cycling, and found endless companionship in his family and beloved dogs. Above all, he lived a life filled with love, curiosity, accomplishment, and an enduring appreciation for the people and experiences that mattered most.

The family will receive friends at Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc. at 10 West Padonia Road, Timonium, MD 21093, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm. A Celebration of Paul’s Life will take place at the funeral home on Monday at 11am. Interment Services will follow at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens at 200 E. Padonia Road, Timonium, MD 21093.