Paul Riechmann

Paul died at the Hospice House in Auburn, Maine on November 28, 2024, of cancer. He was 77. Paul lived a full life as a husband, father, grandfather, musician, road bicyclist, community-builder, volunteer, business owner and teacher. In later years his spiritual exploration brought him to a place of deep gratitude for the rhythms of his daily life.
Paul was born in Evansville, Indiana, on June 24, 1947, to Fred and Pauline Riechmann. Growing up in the Midwest in the fifties and sixties, Paul complied with the rigid social expectations but privately yearned for a life that allowed more space for creativity and exploration. One semester short of his parents' desired degree in engineering at the University of Cincinnati, Paul changed his major to psychology. His parents briefly disowned him, and he lived on PBJ, carrots and milk while he completed his degree. He went on to complete a PhD in experimental psychology at U.C.
Paul was excited to embark on an academic career and taught psychology at Mt. Holyoke College and Westfield State in Massachusetts. He embraced an experiential style of teaching that encouraged students to discover learning rather than taking lecture notes. Paul encountered bureaucratic resistance to his ideas, and he became restless. He was a ripe target for recruitment by the private sector in the early '80s and when he was offered lots of money by the Quaker Oats Company, he relocated to Chicago and bought some good suits.
Paul spent seven years in corporate research departments in Chicago, working his way up to V.P. at the BBDO Chicago advertising agency. He bought two Greystone buildings in Wrigleyville, learned renovation and property-management skills, and fell in love with Chicago and the Cubs.
Predictably, Paul chafed at the rigidity of corporate culture and wanted to be his own boss. He was excited to relocate to Orono, Maine which offered bicycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing as well as village atmosphere. Paul built Stillwater Research, a marketing-consulting business with clients all over the country which remained profitable for 25 years.
Paul joined the Unitarian Universalist Association in Bangor and became a leader and change-agent in the congregation. His musical talent was noticed, and he was encouraged to sing in the choir, play his guitar and start writing songs. Paul continued to grow into his identity as a musician steadily for the rest of his life.
Recognizing that guitar players were a dime a dozen and if he wanted to play music with other people he might need to bring more to the table, Paul learned to play acoustic bass. In 2006 he brought together some local friends and musicians and formed the band Velma, which lasted for 9 years. Paul played bass for other bands in recent years, but most dear to him was Tough End String Band. He was grateful and proud to make art with musicians of exceptional skill, talent and heart. One of his last projects was to ensure that TESB's three albums were available on all major streaming services. The family asks that you take a minute to listen to a few songs.
Paul's humor was sometimes edgy and usually dark. It could be an acquired taste, like extremely dark chocolate which he also enjoyed. He delighted in getting people to laugh at themselves and often turned his wit on his own foibles.
As much as Paul loved the power of humor to deflate the pompous, he cared sincerely about real human connection. At a loss when asked to make small talk, Paul listened with quiet intention and crafted his responses wisely.
Although he often called himself a curmudgeon, Paul's occasionally grumpy manner covered a deeply loving heart. He was grateful every day for his exceptionally happy marriage to Sue; he delighted in watching Ben, Anna, and Zoe grow into independent and fulfilled adults; he treasured being "Opa" to Olivia and teaching her to construct a sturdy marble run.
Paul is survived by his wife Sue Hamlett of Gardiner, Maine, his sister Fritzie Wellborn of New York City, his son Ben Riechmann and wife Cara Montlack of Cleveland, Ohio, his daughter Anna Riechmann of Waldoboro, Maine, and his daughter Zoe Holland and granddaughter Olivia Holland of Auburn, Maine.
The family is planning a concert and wake in Paul's honor to be held in the spring or early summer.
Paul was a top fundraiser in each of the eleven years he participated in the Maine MS 150 bike event. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family requests that you consider a donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.