Paul Anthony Mitchell

1920 - 2017

August 10, 1920 - March 11, 2017 Paul Anthony Mitchell, a college All-American, former professional football player and University of Minnesota Hall of Fame recipient, has died at the age of 96. At his passing, he was the 6th oldest living former professional football player. Mitchell was named to many All Big Ten and All-American teams and was on the Minnesota '41 National Championship Team under the leadership of coach Bernie Bierman. Mitchell was thought to be one of the finest tackles in Golden Gopher football history. He was known for his defensive performances and blocking punts. He blocked two punts on two successive plays against Buffalo, a rarity in football. He played in two college All-Star games; famed sportswriter Grantland Rice named him to Collier's All American squad; and in '41 was voted the Gopher's most valuable player and captain. Mitchell graduated from the University of Minnesota with a mechanical engineering degree and married his college sweetheart and U of M cheerleader and Miss Minnesota Ingrid Vallo. His wife, Ingrid, was also a Powers model. Mitchell served in the Navy during World War ll as a Lieutenant. In '46, he signed a contract to play for Los Angeles Dons and then two years later played for the New York Yankees in '48 and '49 and with the New York Yanks of the N.F.L in '50, '51 and '52. Paul had said that whatever success he achieved in sports it was the result of many great coaches he played for including Pete Guzy of Edison High School and Bernie Bierman. In California, he was employed by Goodyear Tire between pro football seasons and then when he left football he went on to work for the Garrett Corporation (now AlliedSignal/Honeywell) where he retired in '85 as a vice president. In 1985, he founded Palos Verdes Enterprises Corporation as CEO. The real estate company purchased and managed apartment buildings, mobile home parks and mini warehouses. Over the years, Paul was involved in many civic activities. While his boys were young he coached Pop Warner football for 6 years and they were league champs for two years. Paul served on the board of directors of the Palos Verdes National Bank. He and his wife Ingrid sponsored a bronze bust sculpture of the late King Olav V of Norway for Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota and the Vesterheim museum of Decorah, Iowa. Paul's parents had emigrated from Lithuania and he learned to speak English at school. Paul is now again with the love of his life, Ingrid, who he was married to for almost 75 years. He is survived by his sons Paul and Eric and his daughter Heidi and her husband Dan Springer and their children, Erika, Britta, Katrina and the grandson named after him Mitchell; also his brother Joseph Biernet and grandson Matt Batchelder, his niece Lisa Verlo and Frank Simes and their son Turner and close family friend Melanie Browoleit.