RAHMEIER, Paul W. In loving memory of Paul W. Rahmeier Feb. 21, 1933 to Feb. 13, 2024 Paul Wilfred Rahmeier, 90, died, February 13, 2024, in Winchester, Massachusetts. Born in Houston, Texas on February 21, 1933 and raised in Missouri, Paul had two younger sisters, Jean Doerr (Clemson, SC) and Ruth Niehaus (Lombard, IL). On June 21, 1961, Paul and Lynne Louise Jillson began a joy-filled marriage of 63 years that generated three children who went on to their own marriages, Karen (Lorraine Stoltzfus), Laurie (Derek Kamper) and Tim (Marty Oppegard); blessing Paul and Lynne with four grandchildren, Emma and Natalie Rahmeier and Isabel and Thomas Kamper. Paul was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Marty. Paul was educated at Elmhurst College, Eden Seminary, Oberlin Graduate School of Theology and Drew University, and was ordained in the UCC at Mt. Tabor Church in St. Louis. He served as chaplain at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, Oberlin College and Dartmouth College, before "moving sideways" into administrative positions as headmaster, vice chancellor, dean and associate provost at Northfield Mount Hermon School, the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, Cambridge College and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Paul sometimes referred to himself as an "academic mechanic" whose job was to help educational institutions run as smoothly as possible. During his time at Dartmouth, Paul directed the Foundation Years Program that brought Black gang leaders from Chicago's Vice Lords to Dartmouth as "special students." Fifteen men came to Dartmouth in the late 1960s. Eight graduated, with five earning graduate degrees in law, theology and education. Paul and Lynne stayed in close touch with several of those men throughout the rest of his life. Paul lived and worked in academia for more than 50 years, earning three graduate degrees in philosophy and religion. When he retired in 2001, he began working on what he claimed was his most important degree, WMOG, World's Most Obnoxious Grandfather. Music was always central in Paul's life. He and Lynne met through music at Silver Bay in New York. Paul sang in multiple choruses, including Cantata Singers, Master Singers, Christmas Revels and, always, the church choir, wherever they lived. Since 1978, that was the First Congregational Church of Winchester, where Paul and Lynne were both Life Deacons. Paul and Lynne enjoyed the final 16 years of their marriage with "Sounds of Grace," an interfaith hospice choir created and directed by Lynne. Another of Paul's passions was fast-pitch softball. He pitched for 50 years, won 26 state championships in nine different states, and in retirement was the pitching coach for the women's teams at UMass Lowell and Tufts University. A Memorial Service is planned for March 9, 1 p.m., at First Congregational Church, 21 Church Street, Winchester, MA, with reception to follow. The service will be Livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg8ktbCoy9c In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the church's Reno Garden, where Paul's ashes will be interred after his last contribution to education, the donation of his body to Harvard Medical School Anatomical Gift Program.

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Published by Boston Globe from Feb. 16 to Feb. 17, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for PAUL RAHMEIER

7 Entries

Richard Parker

February 19, 2025

Paul was a Dartmouth chaplain when I was there as a student, class of 68. He was a wonderful guide/mentor/sounding board, on civil rights, the Vietnam War and any number of other issues we progressive students were concerned about.
He help pass on the legacy of the Protestant Social Gospel at its very best--a legacy much needed now in these new Dark Times.

Harold E. (Hal) Brueseke

June 20, 2024

Paul was descended from the Brueseke family and he and my brother Dick attended Elmhurst together, both going on to become E&R/UCC ministers. I attended Elmhurst when his sisters also did. I just learned of his passing from the latest Elmhurst Prospect magazine and write to acknowledge his gifts to the church, academia, and family traditions. May his memory be a blessing to his family and may they be comforted by the concern of many who knew and respected Paul.

Marge Mulkerin

Planted Trees

A. Nick Minton

March 9, 2024

At the Univ. of Mass. Lowell I was a faculty member and the Pol. Sci. Dept. Chair and had the good fortune to get to know and appreciate Paul. At one time I worked out off Paul's office helping to review cases of students who were in academic difficulty. Even when we both were in retirement from the University occasionally our paths would cross and we enjoyed chatting with each other. In our last meeting I remember Paul saying, "Everyday I wake up is a good day." A great positive attitude!

A. Nick Minton

March 8, 2024

I was a faculty member and Political Science Department Chair at the University of Massachusetts Lowell where I got to know, interact with, and appreciate Paul Rahmeier who was an administrator. From time to time I worked out of his office where I reviewed cases of students who were in academic difficulty. We became friendly colleagues and even after we both retired from the University we enjoyed chatting with each other when occasionally we would have chance meetings. At our last such meeting I remember Paul saying, "Everyday that I wake up is a good day." That's a very positive outlook which I admire.

David Langseth

February 20, 2024

Paul was my daughter's pitching coach for several years, and I was her catcher during those lessons. Paul was not only a skilled instructor but also totally delightful to deal with - a very special person.

Dorie Bechtel

February 17, 2024

My husband, Tom, and I knew Paul since 1960 at Oberlin College. He and Lynne became fast friends for all these years, sharing experiences, our children´s lives, singing and conversations and laughter. A fine friend whom we will both celebrate and grieve always.

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