Paul Klemet Preus

SALEM - Paul Klemet Preus was born on October 22, 1916 in Minneapolis, Minn. to Paul and Alberta Preus. In 1928 the family moved west and settled in Parkland, Wash.Paul was a lifelong learner and educator – he attended Pacific Lutheran College, and earned a BA in 1937 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa; B. Ed College of Puget Sound, 1939; MA Ed from Central Washington State College in 1962; graduate studies in Oslo, Norway, and the University of Denver. He taught chemistry, physics and German before becoming a high school principal and then an administrator at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Wash. Paul earned a PhD in 1970 at the University of Texas at Austin and subsequently held professorships at several public universities. While a professor at Auburn, Memphis State, and Portland State universities, Paul helped many students achieve their doctorates. Paul married Marie Wenberg in 1942 and together they had four children – John, Priscilla, Mary and Anne. Paul joined the U.S. Navy in 1944, became a lieutenant and served as a radar officer, navigator and watch officer in the South and West Pacific theaters.Paul moved to Moses Lake, Washington and married Gayle Taylor. Paul and Gayle had four children together, Paul, David, Camille and Susan and Gayle’s two children, Patricia and Michael. While living in Moses Lake, Paul and his family farmed a 160 acre section. Gayle died in 1965 and Paul moved to Austin, Texas to pursue a doctorate in Community College Leadership at the University of Texas. In 1969 he married Gilma N. Smith, a fellow doctorial student. Gilma had one son, David Alan Smith. Paul and Gilma retired in 1983 to Kingston, Wash. and Queen Valley, Ariz. They traveled widely and spent their happiest times with their ‘blended’ family – including an annual trek to the Oregon coast for a long weekend of excellent food, fun and catching up. Gilma preceded Paul in death in 1996. Paul and Gilma established a scholarship at Big Bend Community College to provide educational opportunities for single parents. He was preceded in death by Gilma and his three sisters, Mary Louise (Bruusgaard), Norma (Dahl) and Priscilla (Stuen). Paul will be sorely missed and fondly remembered as smart, charming, innovative, randy, and cheap, (a baling wire and duct tape kinda guy) and witty. His children appreciate the independence, resourcefulness, and love of learning he instilled in all of us.A Celebration of Life will be held for close friends and family Memorial Day Weekend. At Paul’s request, no flowers; memorials may be made to the Gilma and Paul Preus Scholarship Fund at the Big Bend Community College Foundation, Moses Lake, Wash.