Paul Langrehr

Paul A. Langrehr Sr, a businessman and community activist, died May 27th 2025 of complications from heart and lung disease at the Richmond, Va., home where he had lived for the last 26 years. The former longtime Northwood resident was 88.

The son of Michael Langrehr, a World War disabled veteran, and Agnes Miller Langrehr, a homemaker, Paul was born in Bradshaw, MD and raised with his three brothers Donald, Henry and Michael on Bradshaw Road.

After graduating in 1954 from St. Stephen's High School at age 17, he served in the Army Reserves, studied accounting and worked for the Baltimore County government before marrying Barbara Elizabeth Duley of Baltimore City in 1959.

The couple moved to Northwood, where they raised their family and he became involved in community affairs and local politics.

"He and my mother were two of the founding members of the Greater Northwood Community Council, whose goal was to maintain a growing and racially diverse community in the Northwood neighborhood," said her daughter, Michele Matthews of Richmond.

"They were part of the organizing force behind the first City Fair and Parade and the Lake Montebello art shows. My father was an active political supporter and worked on many campaigns supporting his liberal social justice passions," said Ms. Matthews. Most notable were now-Judge John Carroll Byrnes' campaign for the state Senate and his own run for Baltimore City Council.

In 1968, Paul and his wife opened the first of two Hallmark greeting card stores. At the Hillen Hallmark Gallery on Hillen Road, they promoted many local artists, including two of his favorites, Bob Yealdhall and George Skepton. They had a second store in Carney near Joppa Road. They sold the businesses in 1978. He also worked many years as an independent manufacturers representative for several fine jewelry companies.

He had been an active communicant of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church on Loch Raven Boulevard.

Mr. Langrehr was living on Stillway Court in Cockeysville when he and his wife decided to move to Pinehurst, N.C., and later Greensboro, N.C. Since 1999, they had lived in Richmond.

He enjoyed golf, reading and discussing his many thoughts and ideas with his family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. August 9, 2025 at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 11105 Cauthorne Road, Glen Allen, Va.

In addition to his daughter Michele (husband John), he is survived by his son, Paul A. Langrehr Jr. (fiance Phyllis) of Cockeysville; one brother, Michael Langrehr (wife Nancy) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; grandchildren Erin Masters (husband Matt) and Thomas; and numerous brother/sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.