Paul R. Likins

1933 - 2021

Paul R. Likins, 87, passed away from cancer on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.

Paul was born on May 27, 1933, in Springfield, Illinois, to Daisy and Virgil Likins. His parents soon moved to Elkhart where they had a second son, John, and worked as teachers in the Elkhart school system. Paul attended Elkhart High School and, standing at 6 foot 8 inches, captained varsity basketball for the Blue Blazers where he made lifelong friends and was valedictorian of his class.

Paul went on to play center and captain for the North Carolina Tar Heels. His basketball prowess and academic achievements led him to Oxford, England, as a Rhodes Scholar in 1955. It was a life-changing experience for Paul, giving him a desire to travel and experience other countries and cultures that stayed with him for the rest of his life.

During his time at Oxford, he met and married Shelagh Crosbie and together they moved to California where Paul took a job as an engineer. Paul had a varied career, working primarily in the computer and communications sectors, during which he patented several telecommunication applications.

In his later years, Paul loved nothing more than traveling with his family. He organized many trips with his daughters, Jane and Ann, and his grandchildren. These family vacations were fascinating and far-reaching, with visits to Africa, China and India. Time was also always found to make annual trips to England to visit his family.

Paul also devoted his considerable talents to philanthropy and was officially recognized by several organizations for his generosity. His various charitable activities included writing and reading stories to underprivileged children in Connecticut and giving scholarships to the Elkhart school system. Well into his late 80s Paul remained active, taking up poetry, blogging and story writing.

Paul is survived by his daughters, Ann and Jane, and grandchildren Peter, Nicolas, Alexander and Emily.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sept. 19 in Connecticut.