Paul Kevin Ladwig

1957 - 2025

Paul Kevin Ladwig

February 28, 2025

St. Petersburg, Florida - Paul Kevin Ladwig, age 67, much-beloved husband, father and grandfather, died February 28, 2025, at his home in St. Petersburg, Florida. Paul was born to Donald E. and Myra J. (nee Hanson) Ladwig on March 19, 1957, in Minneapolis, Minn. He leaves his wife of 11 years, Lydia; two cherished children Daniel and Stephanie; precious grandson Lukas; and three brothers Gary, Mark, and Don.

In his early years, following the family's move in 1962 to Kansas City, Mo., Paul played sports, did everything from Boy Scouts to championship science projects to wilderness canoeing to deep sea diving, had a gifted aptitude for building and fixing things, and excelled in school, graduating salutatorian of his large class. He majored in Chemical Engineering and graduated from the University of Missouri's College of Engineering, Columbia.

Paul's professional career spanned nearly 40 years as a chemical engineer and division manager for Exxon Corporation, later ExxonMobil. Early on, Paul worked on oil refinery start-ups in countries in the Mideast. He also worked on research into non-conventional energy sources. In later years, up until retirement in 2016, Paul served as Manager of the Product Development Division of Exxon Research and Development. He is co-inventor on 28 patents. Paul is remembered by his employees and professional colleagues as a person of high integrity.

Paul loved projects, both the research and the work, and especially those requiring ingenuity. He had an unusual ability to analyze thoroughly and build permanently, whether a house project, car repairs, electrical systems, or most anything else, no matter the complexity. Son Dan and his wife Kelly said, when a difficult situation arises, they would say to each other, "WWPD," which is short for "What Would Paul Do?"

Paul throughout his life unselfishly put his incredible talents to work for family, friends, neighbors, and others. Fixing things that seemed unfixable. Building things that even contractors cringed at. Offering great advice. Showing the best way to do something. Inviting people over to eat his amazing brisket, or what he called his "killer" stuffed salmon.

Besides good-hearted, Paul was good-natured. He had fun and shared it: Like welcoming people to his Maryland lake home for wakeboarding and ice cream. Imitating the rock band KISS for hundreds of Halloween kids each year. Learning ballroom dancing with Lydia, even traveling to dancing competitions.

And he mentored, whether he knew it or not. "Paul has forever changed my life," said one friend. Another: "He was a role model for me." And another: "Paul made me feel important. He helped me in ways he'll never know." Yet another: "Paul will be part of my life for the rest of my life."

Family had a special place in Paul's heart. Time with little grandson Lukas was especially precious. "Doesn't he look like me when I was that age?" Paul would say.

About life's most difficult curves, Paul never complained. When a few years ago Paul developed a weakness in one leg, he was determined to find the solution. But when it was diagnosed as ALS, he knew there was no solution. He fought hard to make the best of it, used advancements in medical technology to move and communicate, and with the ever-present loving help of Lydia, managed through the last difficult years-without complaint.

Paul is survived by wife Lydia (nee Garcia) of St. Petersburg, Florida; son and daughter-in-law Daniel W. and Kelly B. (nee Murray) Ladwig of Salt Lake City; daughter and son-in-law Stephanie C. Ladwig and Marko Djukanovic of St. Petersburg; and grandson Lukas Djukanovic. Paul is also survived by his 102-year-old mother Myra J. (nee Hanson) Ladwig of Kansas City, Mo.; by three brothers, Gary M. Ladwig (Diane) of Lee's Summit, Mo., Mark A. Ladwig (Rochelle) of Savage, Minn., and Donald R. Ladwig (Ellen) of St. Charles, Mo.; by stepchildren Kristen Webbers of Tampa and Michael Webbers of Jacksonville, Florida; and by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Paul wished that his cremated remains be dispersed at several personally meaningful locations. Dates for celebration of life services will be determined soon. On line guestbook @ www.brettfuneralhome.net