Paul David Engstrand

1919 - 2015

Engstrand, Paul David SAN DIEGO -- Paul David Engstrand, 95, died peacefully in hospice care Friday, March 20, 2015. Born in Hutchison, Kansas, on April 27, 1919, and raised in various parts of the state, he was the son of Paul David Engstrand, Sr. and Helena (Stromquist) Engstrand. His father was a Lutheran minister and professor of theology at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Paul graduated from Vilas Rural High School and Bethany College, and then spent World War II as an officer and pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following his military service he attended Boalt Hall Law School at the University of California Berkeley. He married Parthena Grigsby of Pratt, Kansas, shortly before World War II; they were divorced in 1969. After graduating from law school, Paul had the opportunity to join fellow law school companion Rik Henrikson and San Diego lawyer William Jennings in 1949 when they formed the law firm of Jennings, Engstrand & Henrikson in La Mesa. The firm grew rapidly over the years and soon moved to Mission Valley and then to downtown San Diego. Paul served as special counsel for the San Diego Water Authority and formed several water districts including Helix, Padre Dam, Otay, and South Bay. Paul was active in litigating a number of statewide water conflicts and represented the City of Escondido in the U.S. Supreme Court on a power issue. His firm liquidated in 1993 and Paul joined the firm of Horton, Knox, Carter & Foote in El Centro as special counsel for the Imperial Irrigation District until 2007, when he officially retired. He was one of the organizers of the San Diego County Bar Association Foundation, the charitable arm of the County Bar Association. An avid golfer, he was a longtime member and former owner of Cottonwood Golf Club in El Cajon. He also enjoyed golfing at De Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs and a favorite activity was fly-fishing with his sons and grandsons in Rocky Mountain rivers during the summer. In 2000, Paul formed HPC Properties, Inc., a real estate investment company, and continued to serve on the board of directors for the Hans and Margaret Doe Foundation to educate the public about water uses. Paul is survived by his wife of 45 years, Iris (Higbie) Engstrand; sons David Engstrand (Jeri) and Craig Engstrand (Carolee); his daughter, Kristin (Engstrand) Moran (Dan); grandchildren Todd Engstrand, Travis Engstrand (Amanda), Tanner Engstrand (Lauren), Taylor (Engstrand) Moore (Conor), Madison and Ryan Moran; seven great-grandchildren; niece Robi Olson and nephew Kevin Olson (Renee). A family graveside service will be held March 30 at Greenwood Mortuary with a private burial. Contributions may be made in his name to the University of San Diego Athletic Fund or to the Boys and Girls Club of East County.