Paul Martin Blum passed away peacefully at home on the Boardwalk in Larkspur on November 7th, 2018.

A third-generation San Franciscan, Paul was a proud alumnus of Lowell High School and UC Berkeley. After college he moved to Paris, where he absorbed all that the art world offered, giving fully-booked guided tours of the Louvre to support himself. Returning stateside to live in New York City, he pursued a successful career in equity analysis at Goldman Sachs before finally returning to San Francisco. Back home again, Paul returned to the art world, exploring his passion for all forms of cultural expression, ranging from the most refined classical painting to unassuming folk art and erotica. He embarked on a successful and fulfilling career as an antiques dealer, specializing in photography, Egyptian artifacts, Native American art and California history. His shop, Paul's Antiques, was a Union Square fixture for over 20 years, to his customers' delight and Herb Cain's occasional disdain.

Paul's proudest accomplishment was raising his two children, to whom he was deeply devoted. Paul prepared home-cooked meals every night, wrote birthday cards in hieroglyphics, shared his love of reading and adventure, and passed on an appreciation for French food, bad puns and full contact Monopoly.

Paul was a truly charming Renaissance man, Eagle Scout, Mother Jones journalist, member of the Foreign Correspondent's Club, Universal Life Minister, militant atheist, adrenaline junkie and proud grandfather. His passion for Asia inspired him to devote many months of his life to overseas travel and volunteer work, including several annual stints at a hospice in Burma (Myanmar). Paul's numerous passions included art, travel, ancient history, crossword puzzles, and true crime books from the Larkspur library, which became his second home.

He was an active and beloved member of the Arkite houseboat community in Larkspur for over 30 years. His houseboat was a place of comfort and a showplace for his antique collections. He loved living on the water, kayaking around San Quentin, soaking in the hot tub on his deck, engaging in lively debate with friends and neighbors, and watching the wildlife.

Paul is survived by his brother Leon, children Max and Beth, daughter-in-law Sally, grandkids Violet and Roland, and god-daughters Monika and Casey.

A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation in Paul's honor to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.

The family requests that you honor Paul's memory by spending time with loved ones, doing charity work and telling inappropriate jokes at every opportunity.

We are overwhelmed by the sheer number of friends he had all over the world. He is deeply missed and will live in our hearts forever.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 17 to Nov. 18, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Blum

8 Entries

Patrick Van Glabeke Belgium

December 31, 2024

My family and my self spent several days toghether in Corte Madena and in our housevin Belgium.

Vincent Flood

November 12, 2022

I miss Paul.
The treasure he gave me was this. He saw that I had an eye for things of fineness and beauty. He charged me with the task of a lifetime to take busy people out of their humdrum lives and make them take a moment to become enthralled in the majesty of a simple $17 Teacup and saucer or a $12,000 Baroque sterling and ebony tea service. He taught me to see the beauty in the mundane and the mundane in the beautiful.

Beth Blum

November 11, 2019

I miss you

Michael Farey

January 9, 2019

So sorry to hear of Paul's death. He was a friendly but formidable opponent at the weekly Marin County estate sale scene. I remember when he used to pull up to a sale on a little motor scooter using the quick and easy mobility to advantage. What a great character! I will miss him. Michael Farey

Vincent Flood

December 16, 2018

One of my most Treasured Memories of the time I spent in San Francisco in the early 1980s was the two years I worked at Paul's antiques. Every day was a new kind of Adventure. My friend Lynn and I would sit at that first floor roll top desk greeting only the most adventurous visitors that would Hazard the long steep picturelined staircase to the second floor of that wonderful iron front building. Paul would usually arrive late in the morning with a box of treasures. Sometimes German expressionist etchings or American Indian basketry that he had a passion for. There was the infamous sterling silver tea set, the Gustave Dore Paradise Lost and teacups,so many tea cups. Paul was my mentor. The things I learned propelled me into a career in art and antiques. He was a lot of fun and he was a great dedicated friend. I was most inspired by his passionate dedication to his interests, his powerful intellect and the joy he took in other people.

Beth Blum

December 7, 2018

Dad, I miss you every day!! You are the best father anyone could ask for. I hope this obituary reflects how amazing and original you were. You will always be my hero.

Glenn Rosten

November 22, 2018

To whomever wrote this beautiful obit, thank you,

I am Paul's first cousin living in LA and knew him from childhood. Sadly I rarely saw Paul over the years, but enough to have seen the many faces he had. Paul was truly a character (in a good way) and I always enjoyed our visits albeit too few. I will miss him.

Lisa Albert

November 18, 2018

Thank you for this beautifully written inclusive look at a true character whom I had the privilege of loving and always will.

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