Lt. Col. Paul C. Andersen USAF (Retired)

Lt. Col. Paul C. Andersen, USAF (Ret.), a resident of Austin for 47 years, passed away on December 3rd at the age of 100. Paul was born in Redfield, South Dakota in 1917, one of six children born to August and Hedvig (Kollewe) Andersen. Both parents had emigrated separately from Copenhagen, Denmark and married in America. Young Paul excelled at sports, and in 1940 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After graduating from Officer Candidate School, Paul met Mildred "Millie" Irene Metz, who was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The two corresponded throughout Paul's military travels. During World War II, Paul served as a 2nd lieutenant assigned as an Ordinance Officer with the 564th Bomb Squadron of the 389th Bombardment Group. While aboard a B-24 Liberator on mission over Karlsruhe, Germany, the aircraft was shot down and Paul was struck by a shell fragment in his back prior to bailing out over Alsace, France. Paul and another crew member were captured by German forces and spent the rest of the war as a guest of the German government at the POW camp Stalag Luft I at Barth, Germany. After the war, Paul and Millie were married at Turner Field in Albany, Georgia and were blessed with three children. Paul continued his military service, working as a Transportation Officer, an Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and finally as Commander of a Strategic Missile Squadron at McConnell Air Fore Base in Wichita, Kansas. He served his country with distinction and courage. Paul earned numerous medals during his thirty year military career, including a Purple Heart, Combat Readiness Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, and Air Force Commendation Medal among others. He retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in February, 1970. Paul and his wife Millie retired to Austin, Texas where Paul began a second career as a real estate agent with Nash Phillips Copus, then as a broker. Paul again retired in the late 1980s and was active in volunteering at the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin. He could often be found swimming at the local YMCA or playing a round of billiards on his patio. Hobbies Paul enjoyed included a passion for photography—he was never without his camera. He also enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with family, including their dog, Lindie. Paul is survived by Millie, his wife of 71 years, daughters Paula Bender and husband Jack of College Station, and Theresa Andersen and husband Jim Boden of Austin; son Michael Andersen and wife Blanca of San Antonio; granddaughter Kelly Bender of San Antonio, and grandson Jeff Bender of Austin. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 11th, from 6-8 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Lakeway. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Emmaus Catholic Church, Lakeway, on Tuesday, December 12th at 10:00 am. Private burial with military honors will be held for family at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Paul's name to the Central Texas Food Bank or the Austin Animal Center. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and care givers at the Harbor at Lakeway for their devotion and outstanding care.