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PAUL STEPHEN WILDENHAIN Ph.D.
PAUL STEPHEN WILDENHAIN Ph.D.
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PAUL WILDENHAIN Obituary
Of Bethel Park, age 46, died suddenly and unexpectedly, on Saturday, February 11, 2012, having struggled with depression for many years. Beloved son of Donald Wildenhain (Bethel Park) and the late Anne Dwyer Wildenhain. He will be greatly missed by his family: his sister, Sharon (Roger) Sellars, Annapolis, MD; brother, W. David (Joy) Wildenhain, San Diego, CA; brother, Dr. Philip (Sarah) Wildenhain, Canonsburg, PA; and sister, Mary-Kay (Jerry) Wildenhain Belant, Starkville, MS, and his nephews and nieces: Luke, Josie, Anne, Claire, Liz, Evan, Tom, and Ian. Paul was valedictorian of his graduating class at Seton-LaSalle High School (1984). He earned his B.S. from Penn State in 1988, majoring in Physics. In 1995, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, where he participated in 2002 Nobel prizewinner Raymond Davis, Jr.'s ongoing neutrino detection research at the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD. After deciding on a career change, Paul took a position at Upper St. Clair High School as a math and physics teacher. Paul was well-liked and respected by his colleagues and students. He was also greatly appreciated as an employee of Bethel Bakery when his teaching schedule permitted. Paul was an Eagle Scout from Boy Scout Troop # 225 and a childhood member of St. Valentine's Church in Bethel Park. He loved singing and listening to music, playing guitar, the outdoors, science fiction, comics, reading about history and politics, and helping his family members and his students. Visitation Thursday 7-9 p.m. and Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the DAVID J. HENNEY FUNERAL HOME, 6364 Library Road (RT 88), Library. Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas More Church. Interment in St. Anne Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Paul's name to: Laurel Highlands Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1275 Bedford Avenue, Flag Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3699.
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Janice Medeiros
February 9, 2021
Paul was the baby of the family. When he was a toddler he loved to play in the wet sand near the ocean at Bonnet Shores in RI.
Chris Neely
May 16, 2013
I have fond memories of Paul from High School and I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
I will keep the Wildenhain family in my prayers.
Drew Milsom
September 6, 2012
(Sorry for the late post here but I just saw this in the PS alumni magazine.) I am very sorry to hear of Paul's passing. I was a physics student at Penn State two years behing him. I remember him fondly and always enjoyed talking with him about anything. My sincere condolences to his friends and family.
Chris Besser
March 16, 2012
I am a Junior at Upper Saint Clair High School. Mr. Wildenhain was an excellent teacher. He took the time to individually tutor anyone who didn't understand his class. Upper Saint Clair was saddened by his loss and will not be the same without him.
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Michael O'Neill
March 6, 2012
I have many fond and happy memories of Paul. Paul was a great childhood friend at Saint Valentines and big influence for me at Seton LaSalle. Paul tutored me for a bit in high school...calculus if I recall correctly. He was the first person I ever knew that had passion. He made me want to have passion. Thank you, Paul.
I wish peace for the Wildenhain family. Know in your hearts that Paul is well loved as an outstanding individual and friend.
Bro. Pat Carney
March 4, 2012
I just received news of Paul's death from a classmate of his. I taught him math and coached the math team at SLS. Paul was one of our outstanding members who contributed so much to our success. I remember also his understated sense of humor. He was a joy to teach and a great person to know. I do not believe I ever heard anyone say a negaative thing about him. He always helped those who were not as gifted on the team. The world will miss him. I will be sure the Brothers keep him in our prayers.
Philip Selden
March 1, 2012
I am saddened to hear of his passing away. He was such an inspiring person to be around and challenged me to become a better student. I sat next to him in Latin class with Mr. Signore and we were always vying for the better test scores. God Bless You Paul!
Tom Slowey
February 25, 2012
Paul was a gentle giant, with a kind heart, a warm laugh and a keen intelligence. My favorite memory of Paul is during high school turkey bowl games, where he always offered to play offensive and defensive line when no one else would, and him chasing me down with a hard tackle on more than one occasion. I always found his subsequent neutrino research to be of interest and it spurred me to read about such interesting space subjects on more than one occasion, usually thinking of him when I did. Rest in peace, Paul, you were and are a fine man in many of our opinions.
Michael Ryan
February 19, 2012
To Friends and Family of Paul Wildenhain -
My sympathies go out to Paul's family at this sad time.
My fond memories run far and deep - from boy scout events and summer camp as kids, classes and lunch all through high school at SLS, to parties, gatherings and Turkey Bowl football games when we were all home from college. Paul was brilliant, funny, and kind. He will be greatly missed, and we are all the better for having known him.
Bob Nairn
February 17, 2012
To friends and family of Paul-
I am deeply saddened by this tragic loss. I worked BSA camp staff with Paul at Camp Liberty, Heritage Reservation in the early 1980s. Although we had only been in touch periodically over the ensuing years, I know Paul made a difference in this world. We are all better people for having known him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May God bless him. And may we all keep him in our hearts.
Marianne O'Connor
February 17, 2012
Paul was a brilliant mathematician and work so hard to help my son in class and in his free time before and after class. I pray that he is at peace and God blesses you in these times of sorrow.
Jennifer Ratay
February 17, 2012
To the Wildenhain family,
I am so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Paul. I knew him as the most brilliant, humble and inspiring person in our class at Seton-LaSalle. May God bless his soul and yours during this most difficult time. Jennifer Ratay
Lori Kleppner
February 16, 2012
I am so deeply sorry to hear of Paul's passing. I went to Seton LaSalle with him and he was the kindest person. I was in awe of his intelligence. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. I pray that Paul is at peace and that the love, caring and concern he showed others will live on.
Teresa Bauer-Morrison
February 16, 2012
Uncle Don and family,
Paul will be missed. I remember all the good times when we all met in Rhode Island in the summers and spend quality time together. Prayers will be said for all. God Bless.
William Z
February 16, 2012
Paul, you are already missed by all those whose lives you touched. May the sun shine warmly upon your face and may the gentle breeze always fall upon your back pushing you closer and closer to the Lord.
D L
February 16, 2012
So sorry for your loss. I knew Paul at Seton-LaSalle and had in fact recently been thinking of him and the interesting discussions we had in high school. He was a wonderful person and fun to have around, and I knew him to be a true and honest friend, and kind to everyone. The world is a poorer place without him.
Janice & Ronald Medeiros
February 15, 2012
Uncle Don, Sharon,David,Philip,Mary Kay,and Families,
We are so sorry to hear of Paul's passing. You are all are in our prays. This evening our 6th grade class at Catholic Church of St Monica in Duluth, GA prayed for Paul and his family.
Paul is now in heaven. You all will be in our thoughts and prays.
Love Janice, Ron and Rebecca Medeiros
February 15, 2012
I am so very sorry for your loss. I grew up on Glen Hill Dr. and remember Paul very well as a young boy. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nicky (Climes) Hinnebusch
John Pockl
February 15, 2012
I worked with Paul at Bethel bakery. He was a joy to work with and we all enjoyed his stories. His laughter could not be described, but was addictive. He was a fine man and will be truly missed. Sincere condelences to his entire family, regards John Pockl
February 15, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss. It's heartbreaking. Our son, Sam, had him in high school and spoke very highly of him. Steve and Sandy Mesinere
Bill Sommer
February 15, 2012
Don
I am truly sorry to learn of Paul's death. I am out of town, but you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Barbara Hoover
February 15, 2012
Paul was one of my favorite upper classmen at Seton LaSalle H.S. I was always in awe of his intellectual ability and made sure that he was my partner when playing Trivia Persuit. Besides being so smart, he was also super sweet. I am so saddend by this news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.-Barbara O'Neill Hoover(classmate at Seton LaSalle H.S.)
Jeffrey Schmitt
February 15, 2012
I graduated with Paul from Seton LaSalle. He was one of the finest men I've ever known.
Andrew Shissler
February 15, 2012
Paul was a role model and mentor to me as a young Boy Scout in Troop 225. - His great intelligence and deep kindness were always apparent from the day I met him. He was helpful to me as an incoming high school freshman during his senior year; as he took the time to make sure I fit in to my new environment at Seton La Salle. I am saddened beyond words, and will keep all of his family in my prayers for the rest of my days.
Carol Kidner
February 15, 2012
To the family of Paul Wildenhain-
I did not know Paul personally, but both of my daughters had him for one year of math. They described him as a gentle, caring man who tried very hard to help students learn the subject matter from his classes. They told me that they both loved him as a person and teacher. My daughters are so sorry for your terrible loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, The Kidner Family(Jenn and Kelsie were his students.)
Dave Reese
February 15, 2012
Don,
I am truly saddened at the loss of your son. My wife, Marie, works at USC High School, and shared cafeteria duty with Paul; she spoke very highly of him.
You may not remember me, but I worked with you at old Mobay decades ago. I was in HR, and had many very pleasant interactions with you when we had accounting issues.
I wish you well, and pray that with God's help, you can find peace despite the loss of your son.
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