Paul D. Kinney

St. Cloud - Paul D. Kinney, age, 93 of St. Cloud, MN died Thursday, June 27, 2019 at St. Benedict's Senior Community, St. Cloud, MN.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Salem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be Monday, July 1, 2019 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Salem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangements are with Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Paul D. Kinney was born on April 13, 1926 in Alexandria, MN to James and Myrtle (Mattson) Kinney. He graduated from Osakis High School in 1944 and served in the US Army Air Force during WWII as a cryptographer in China. Paul was married to Nova Hanson in Wichita Falls, Texas on January 29, 1945. After being discharged from the army Paul attended Gustavus Adolphus College where he earned his B.A. degree. He taught in Winthrop, MN for 3 years before becoming the principal at New London High School. During this time, he earned his M.A. in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota. Paul then went to Hibbing, MN where he was the assistant principal until 1964 when he came to St. Cloud to serve as the Principal of Tech High School. In 1969 Paul helped initiate development of Apollo High School and became its 1st principal where he stayed until his retirement in 1981. He was very involved in the community, served as a Grand Marshall of the 1982 Wheels, Wings & Water Parade in St. Cloud, volunteered in RSVP from 2010 - 2017, volunteered for 32 years singing at various nursing homes providing musical entertainment for residents to sing along. Paul was a Board Member for the Exchange Club, Top Hatters, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Boy Scouts of Central MN, St. Cloud Country Club, Head Start, Lawyers of Prof Resp. Board, Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Advisory Council of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Paul enjoyed reading, writing, swimming, golfing and playing tennis. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, MN.

Paul is survived by his children, Peter (Pat) Kinney of Plymouth, MN; Brian Kinney of Minneapolis, MN; Sharon (Rev. Alexander) Ravenel of Saluda, NC; granddaughters, Wendy (Deke) Fischer, Sara (Jeff) Hunstiger, Michelle (Ric) Saatzer, all of Pymouth, MN; great-grandchildren, Ethan and Jacob Fischer, Tony and Abi Saatzer, Ben Hunstiger, Ryan (Katie) Hunstiger, and Anne Hunstiger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife of 65 years, Nova Kinney in 2010 and brother, James Kinney.

Memorials preferred to Music Programs at Salem Lutheran Church.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times from Jun. 28 to Jun. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Kinney

Sponsored by Benson Funeral Home - Saint Cloud.

15 Entries

Dave Thelen

April 11, 2020

May God he with you!!!

Timothy Berg

September 29, 2019

My condolences to the Kinney family. I am grateful to Paul for having hired me to teach German language at Apollo High School in 1970. I felt he was an excellent principal...fair, firm, personable, visible, intelligent and respected leader. Thank you, Paul.
pax tecum
Timothy R. Berg

Bernie Kaspszak

July 2, 2019

Pete, I was saddened to hear of your Dad's passing. He was very kind and supportive to me. He lined up my first job interview after graduating from St. Cloud State. I didn't take the job, but really appreciated his going to bat for me.

Bernie Kaspszak

July 2, 2019

Remembering your great love story today and always.

M. D.

June 30, 2019

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. May you find comfort in knowing that God cares for you and will help during this difficult time (1Peter 5:6,7).

Dick and Judy Nordvold

June 29, 2019

Kids, you were blessed with wonderful parents. For us kids, of course, it was always Mr. and Mrs. Kinney. For mom and dad it was Paul and Nova. Behind his back at HHS it was "Tall Paul!" Always a smile, a gentle kidding. He was always telling Denny Flynn, "Careful or we will be sending you to Groton." Or, "Keep that up and it's a knuckle sandwich!" The that famous grin and hearty laugh. We really loved the man and so disappointed that he couldn't join us at our 50th for the Class of 60. You all were dealing with your mom at the time. So wish we could join you but just not possible. Know you are all in our thoughts. We will forever remember fondly Paul and Nova and their beautiful family. God Bless.

Dick and Judy Nordvold, Sun City, AZ

Joanne Nordvold-Brown

June 29, 2019

Condolences to the family. Memories of Hibbing High School and Our Savior's Lutheran Church.

Larry Gross

June 29, 2019

Our condolences to the Kinney family. Mr. Kinney was a great man and an exceptional principal. The impact he had on his students will live on for many years. Thank you, Mr. Kinney, for all you did for us.

Bill Jr. Lah

June 29, 2019

Condolences from our family. My father, Wm. R. Lah, was a colleague and friend of Mr. Kinney. They worked together at Hibbing High - dad followed in Paul's footsteps as Asst. Principal. I was very young, but I remember Mr. Kinney visiting HHS some time after he had left and all the folks in the office were so very excited to see him and catch up. Blessings and prayers to you all.

Pam Morke

June 28, 2019

RIP from a former Tech student.

Ruth & Mike Johnson

June 28, 2019

Our sympathy to all the friends and family of this good man!! Our paths crossed through the music program at Rejoice Lutheran where it was an honor to participate with him in choir and receive appreciation from him for the music we sang there! Always friendly, supportive, intelligent, and kind! We have a deep respect for him (& Nova) and admire the lives they lived!!

Patty Richards

June 28, 2019

Peter and family, I am saddened to hear of Paul's death. Your dad was the first principal I worked for (St. Cloud Tech). As a young teacher, he was a great mentor to me. He was firm, yet compassionate, had high expectations, yet would counsel when, as novices, we messed up. His furrowed brow could instill the fear of God in you, but you knew he had a generous and beating heart:)
My condolences to you all.

June 28, 2019

It was a pleasure dining with Paul and having other conversations with him at Benedict Court. I also enjoyed singing with Paul over many years in The St. Cloud Country Club Talent Shows.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

Joyce Friebe.

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