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BORN
1939
DIED
2014
Paul Clement Obituary
Born on a farm in rural Washington, Paul rose to a position of national prominence in the field of psychology. He served as president of professional associations at the local, state, regional, and national levels. He is adored and admired by the generations of psychologists that he trained while serving on the faculties of UCLA Medical School from 1965 to 1967 and Fuller Theological Seminary Graduate School of Psychology from 1967 to 1989. He was recognized as being responsible for the American Psychological Association's accreditation of Fuller as the first school (not department) of psychology in America. He was a distinguished scholar, coauthoring over 90 journal articles and books during his career. And he was a true innovator, developing one of the nation's very first community psychology institutes, The Psychological Center, lauded by The American Psychologist as one of the two best examples in the country of how psychological services can be delivered to the public. He spent the past 26 years of his career as a distinguished clinician in private practice, while advocating for psychologists to measure and disseminate their treatment outcomes.
Paul lived a full life, not just measured by the number of his years, but in the energy he put into every moment of every one of his endeavors. Paul rode a motorcycle to work most days, coat and tie flapping in the wind, with his backpack strapped to his chest and his handball gear slung over his shoulder. He played handball weekly, crashing into his partners and arguing calls with his buddies who played together for over 30 years. He didn't just fly planes; he built his own. And crashed. Seven years ago. He has counted these last seven years as a genuine gift, time to spend in loving relationship with his wife Cathy, his kids, and his grandkids. He was an active and valued member of All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena for more than 25 years. Above all else, Paul was loyal; to his family, to his friends, and to his colleagues. We will miss him terribly.
Paul's memorial service will be held at 5:30PM on Saturday, March 29th at All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena. All are welcome to attend.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Clement
Larry William Smith
March 7, 2025
Dr. Clement was an amazing man and taught me so much about being a therapist which is still helping me in my private practice to this day. He is sorely missed...
Marty Shoemaker
March 22, 2019
Paul was my major mentor and later a very significant colleague as I began my work as a clinical psychologist in California and later in Canada. When ever I was in Pasadena he always made time for me and we both gained immensely from our candidness and friendship based on trust. He accepted me even though I left the fold of evangelical thought and became a Humanist. For me Paul was a unique blend of tolerance, humor and critical thinking that I have tried to emulate. I miss him every time I am at a function at Fuller or in town. He made lunch and coffee an event I looked forward to each and every time. He was such a robust man, loving and tenacious. His passing took a part of me to another place where memories have hegemony. Loved you Paul and your family was so special.
Cedric in Guatemala
cedric johnson
July 24, 2014
I just happened on Paul's Linkedin page today and was saddened to hear that he died. Paul was my professor and supervisor while I was a student at Fuller. I would rank him in the top ten most influential ad important people in my life. He was the role model of what a psychologist should be, a subject I interviewed in my doctoral dissertation on spiritual change, and an ever friendly presence at my church All Saints in Pasadena. Although my path has taken me to Mexico and I have not seen Paul for over a decade I will cherish his memory for the rest of my life. My deep condolences to Cathy and his children. RIP dear friend.
Gary Lee
May 20, 2014
I can't believe I am writing this. The reverse would seem more appropriate.
Paul and I fell in love with the same girl in Mrs. Helen Bird's 1st grade class at Alderwood Manor Grade School (today a Seattle suburb). We were best friends ever since. But never rivals. Always partners. And we had each other's back for seventy years. Though we both had younger brothers, our bond was special. Fatherless for separate reasons, we were blessed by strong, selfless mothers who made us feel special. We were also selected as proteges of several strong male adults, especially Rev. John Klebe. Our school years were full of adventure, most of it legal, all of it fun. Scouting, athletics, hanging out, Young Life and church were our principal activities. Paul was especially gifted at water sports earning cash as swim club director on Mercer Island WA and lifeguard at Cannon Beach, Oregon where he was famously touted for saving a life. Going to college at separate schools in So. Cal, we finished at U of WA. Paul then went off to U of Utah and UCLA for his professional training. We never again lived in the same town. That did not affect our bond. In Boy Scouts of America there are 10 Commandments….trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, etc. Paul embodied all of these (except obedience, sometimes), especially loyalty. Through the years we always looked forward to Paul's summer vacations as he loyally returned with family to the Great Pacific Northwest with brilliant ideas for outings. What times we had, especially one adventure to Lake Crescent. For 10 years we lived in Fallbrook, CA, within spitting distance of La Canada. This gave us more opportunity to gather and we did. It was special to reunite with Paul Jr, Blake and Erika at family dinners. The most ALIVE person I've ever known, physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally it is hard to believe he has passed. My love for him will endure to the day I die.
Paul's loyalty was reflected in one of his favorite sayings…..GO HUSKIES! I echo, GO PAUL!
Ed Carlson
April 27, 2014
I went to school with Paul for many years.
He was a very good student,and set a
good example for all to follow.
I send my regaurds to his family.
April 4, 2014
Paul Clement
Like many of us from Edmonds High School (EHS,57), Paul carried out his career and raised his family far from where he grew up and went to school. However, Paul kept in touch with his old friends and roots from Alderwood Manor, a close rural community, where Paul attended elementary school and Edmonds, a peaceful town on Pudget Sound, where Paul went to high school. In high school Paul participated in: Football, Debate, Wireless Newspaper, Hi-Y , Youth Conference and was an honor student. Some of us asked Paul why he carried so many books (22 at one count) between classes. Trouble is Paul knew what was in them. Each Christmas Paul sent out a succinct letter updating all of us on his family and varied activities. Whenever possible Paul attended our annual class picnic at Del and Dale Starkenberg's animal farm. Here we swapped stories of old times and new adventures and took many pictures. One year Paul held us spellbound with pictures of the airplane he built and crashed into a house roof. He survived unscathed. Over the years we enjoyed family dinners with Paul and his visit to our home in Calgary. Paul loved our trip to Banff, Lake Louise and a ride up the Banff Gondola for a view of the Canadian Rockies. We from the class of EHS, 57, will miss you Paul. You lived a full life.
Al Morgan
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
by Henry David Thoreau
April 1, 2014
Paul was a classmate of mine @ Edmonds High School and I am happy I was able to see him again at a couple re-unions. To his wife, children and grand-children I offer my condolences. He was a true gentleman.
Marcia Hatcher Dawson EHS class of '57
Marty Shoemaker
March 31, 2014
Paul was my closet and most treasured mentor during my grad school education and for many years as a practicing psychologist. When I ever I returned to Pasadena, my home city, I always visited Paul and had many occasions to enjoy in his family and the movement of our lives across the generations. I will miss Paul and send my love out to his wife Cathy and all his family on the sudden passing of a great man and friend.
Mary Stoddard
March 30, 2014
Dearest Cathy, Paul Jr., Erika, and Blake, my heart is broken for you. I heard of Paul's passing too late to attend his memorial, but he has been dearly loved by me over many, many years. He was more than a professional mentor; he was a friend, a colleague, a role model, and in many ways, the father I never had. I know he is with us all even now, but it doesn't help to ease the deep loss we all feel now. My heart and prayers are with you all. With love,
March 30, 2014
Paul was a classmate of mine at Edmonds High School. We were a very close knit class and shared a special affection for each other. Paul was a dear friend and I have been stunned to hear of his death. My heart goes out to his dear wife and family. They have been richly blessed to have been such an important part of his life. Dorothy Tucker Railston (Yakima, Wa)
See you soon, Paul!
March 29, 2014
Dear Cathy and Family,
My love and prayers are with you all today. I have fond memories of when Paul and I played football in H.S. and of the fun dinner at your home with Gary and Mary Lee several years ago!
Even in H.S. he was focused and upbeat and very well thought of by all of us at Edmonds High! I will miss him, however I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven!
Love,
Rev. Cliff Norton, Ojai, CA
Phyllis Boyajian
March 28, 2014
Will miss that smiling face at church on Sundays.
Vee Lin
March 28, 2014
To the Clement Family,
I am deeply sorry for your loss this is a very difficult time. But the love of others and especially from our God we can endure 1 John 4:8 says that “God is love”, so he will carry us in this difficult time.
The Rev. Jim Newman
March 28, 2014
I would love to have been able to personally celebrate Paul's life at the service, but I want to add my and our prayers at this time in thanksgiving for Paul's life and spirit.
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