Paul Richard Lipinski

Paul Richard Lipinski, 87, passed away on October 29, 2025 in Torrance, CA, after a battle with cancer. He was born on May 24, 1938 in Chicago, IL, to Sophia (Stenzoski) and Adam Lipinski. Paul graduated from St. Rita of Cascia High School in Illinois, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1960. That same year, he married Janice Bernice Piento in Chicago. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Susanne Marie, the family relocated in 1961 to Torrance, CA to begin their life on the West Coast. There, they welcomed two more children, son Gregg Paul, and daughter, Sharyl Elizabeth. Paul was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Paul moved to Torrance to pursue a career opportunity with TRW, Inc. in Redondo Beach, CA, where he worked from 1961 until his retirement in 1997 at the age of 59. He worked as a Software Engineer and Project Manager in the Space Technology Laboratories at TRW, where he contributed to numerous significant programs, including GEODSS, and NASA’s Apollo and Gemini space programs, as well as ballistic missile programs. Paul was deeply proud of his work and its impact, though much of it remained a mystery as he worked under Top Secret security clearance.

Paul was very active throughout his life, with a passion for fitness, sports, and community involvement. He was an avid runner – proudly completing the Long Beach Marathon – as well as a dedicated cyclist who participated in numerous century rides. Paul also coached and played soccer and spent many years as an AYSO referee, supporting the soccer pursuits of his wife, affectionately known as “Coach Lip”, and all three of their children. Once his grandchildren came along, he found great joy in cheering them on at their sporting events. Later in life, Paul discovered a love for line dancing, becoming an instructor at the City of Torrance Adult School and the YMCA. He also enjoyed weekly social dances at the Elks and Moose Lodges. Paul especially loved choreographing line dances for his students – many of which can be found on YouTube - and took great joy in participating in a memorable line dancing cruise from Alaska to Hawaii. A devoted fan of country music, he loved attending the Stagecoach concerts in Indio, CA.

Genealogy was another passion Paul shared with his wife, Janice. Together they took great pride in tracing their Polish heritage back to the 1700’s. Paul was an active member of the Polish Genealogical Society of California (PGSCA), serving multiple terms as its President. He generously assisted others with their family research and edited and published the quarterly PGSCA Bulletin. Paul and Janice also helped organize and run numerous United Polish Genealogical Society conferences in Salt Lake City. In addition, Paul was a member of the TRW Genealogical Society and the South Bay Cities Genealogical Society, reflecting his dedication to preserving family history and helping others discover their roots.

Some of Paul’s favorite memories were growing up alongside his many cousins in apartments above the family’s Ski Inn restaurant and bar, where at any given time between 15-19 of the cousins shared life together. He also cherished family vacations to his family’s cottage in Antioch, IL, as well as numerous camping trips across the United States. Paul loved houseboating – especially at Lake Powell - and enjoyed the thrills of white-water rafting. His travels also took him to GEODSS sites in Korea, New Mexico and Maui, where one of his favorite TRW projects was working at the observatory atop the Haleakala volcano. Beyond his professional travel, Paul and Janice explored other Hawaiian and Polynesian islands and visited Europe, including several meaningful trips to Poland and the Holy Land.

Paul is predeceased by his parents, Sophia and Adam Lipinski, his wife, Janice, and his brother-in-law, Joseph (Christine) Piento. Paul is survived by his children, Susanne, Gregg and Sharyl (Joel) Cass; his grandchildren, Meghan Elizabeth (Matthew) Wiehe, Blake Paul Cass and Maxwell James Cass; and his great-grandchildren, Maya Elizabeth Wiehe and Miles Elliott Wiehe. He is also survived by his brothers, Jerome (Barbara) Lipinski, Lawrence (the late Diane) Lipinski and Terrence (Patricia) Lipinski, and his sister, Constance (Terrence) Kasprzak. Paul leaves behind his beloved godchildren Joseph Piento, Brad Lipinski and Russell Lipinski, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He deeply cherished time spent with family, especially their visits to California and the many trips they shared together throughout his life.

A long-time parishioner of St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, CA, Paul will be honored at a Celebration of Life Mass held there on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00am, followed by a lunch reception in the St. Lawrence Martyr Hall. Interment will be a private ceremony at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota (crazyhorsememorial.org), any of the Moose Charities organizations (moosecharities.org), or the charity of one’s choice. Please note “In Memory of Paul Lipinski” with any donation.