Richard Paulson

Paulson, Richard V. “Dick” Richard Paulson, age 83, of Hoover, AL passed away Monday morning following a courageous struggle with emphysema, heart disease and cancer. He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley who passed away in 2006. Dick, as he was known to family, friends and co-workers all his life, was a loving husband, father and beloved Grandpa who delighted in deploying his sharp wit and acerbic observations for the pure enjoyment - and sometimes light discomfort - of those around him, no matter the setting. More than his own laughter, he loved making others laugh with him. He was - in short - a kinder, gentler Don Rickles, of sorts. "He’s the funniest man I have ever known,” said Jesse Paulson, the eldest of three grandchildren who always looked forward to being part of Dick’s audience whenever family gathered. Almost 20 years retired when he passed, Dick Paulson brought his family to Birmingham in 1969 after nearly two decades of transfers and moves that took the five Paulsons from his Detroit, MI birthplace to Chicago, IL, Richmond, IN and Lexington, KY only to settle where the golf season was longer and the friendships he collected were as warm as summer in Alabama. He stepped into adulthood at the age of 17, enlisting in the United States Navy the day after graduation from high school. World War II was still raging and he served his country in the Philippines, awaiting the U.S. invasion of Japan that was not to be. Back home as a civilian, he and Shirley married and started their family of three children who spent their childhood moving from town to town and eventually state to state at the whim of his employer, Montgomery Wards. Dick rose from shirt salesman to store manager specializing in opening new facilities until “Monkey Wards” demanded another transfer to New York; a move that was totally unacceptable. With one daughter in college and another ready to go in a year, he courageously resigned and looked for his next job. Life was too short to live where you can’t enjoy it. Soon, Loveman’s Department Store brought the family to Birmingham - and the longest golf season he would ever enjoy - where he managed their store at Western Hills Mall in Fairfield. Eventually, he was to help Barber’s Milk open and manage Century Plaza Mall; a job he took largely because it was easier to manage 30 people than 300. Aronov Realty later took him to University Plaza in Tuscaloosa where he and Shirley lived until retirement and their return to Hoover. Every step along the way was marked by devotion to the game he loved, best played at his final golf “home“, Chase Lake Country Club, a real golfer’s golf club. One glorious day, this life long single-digit handicapper, golfed his age - 73. Not bad for a man who disclosed to his young son one night nearly 50 years ago that he really wished he had finished college (University of Michigan) and become a high school history teacher. Despite limited financial resources, there was never a question that all his children would get their college degrees. Dick Paulson is survived by his three children; Suzanne Paulson of Birmingham, Sally Hand (Doyle) of Pelham, AL and David Paulson (Donna) of Baltimore, MD, three grandchildren; Jesse Paulson (Jennifer) of New York, NY, Cada Paulson of Baltimore and Senior Airman Alex Hand, U.S.A.F. (Brittany); and beloved companion Grace Miller of Pelham. Services will be held this Friday, February 11 at Riverchase Baptist Church, 2020 Crossvine Road, Birmingham (Riverchase), Alabama. Viewing will take place at 10:00 AM, services will begin at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in his name to the church that became his spiritual home and the source of great joy and comfort in his life, Riverchase Baptist.