Paul Oppenheim

Paul Oppenheim was a devoted husband, stepfather, grandfather, and brother. He worked as a sound engineer in film and television and was a lifelong amateur double bassist, performing with numerous orchestras until shortly before his passing.

Paul was deeply loved by his family, his colleagues, and his fellow musicians. His warmth, enthusiasm, and generous spirit touched many. His enduring curiosity about music, art, dance, and nature kept him inspired and creatively engaged throughout his life.

From a young age, Paul loved making music. His first orchestra experience was with Bob Greenwood’s orchestra at Tamalpais High School. He later played with the Marin Symphony, followed by community orchestras in Los Angeles, and most recently with the Intergenerational Orchestra of Los Angeles which brought tremendous joy.

In the early 1960s, Paul studied broadcasting and sound engineering at San Francisco State University. His first job was at KQED, where he covered live demonstrations during the Vietnam War era. He went on to work in film with John Korty and Agnes Varda, and later joined CBS News, working on 60 Minutes and traveling widely. After moving to Los Angeles, he began a long career with Entertainment Tonight at NBC, where he worked until his retirement in 2010.

In his later years, Paul studied the piano, played his double bass in the HOLAIO, swam in the ocean, raised Monarch butterflies, and attended music, theater, and modern dance performances, remaining deeply engaged and creative throughout his life. He possessed a profound depth of spirit and an enduring love of life, and he will be deeply missed.

Paul is survived by his wife, Irene Oppenheim; his stepdaughters, Sarah Wenk and Emily Maupin; his step-grandson, Connor Wenk; and his sister, Sarah Oppenheim-Beggs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to the Heart of Los Angeles Intergenerational Orchestra: https://heartofla.org/donate/