Paul Robert Persson

Paul Robert Persson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Per and Jennie Persson on October 27, 1935.  On January 19, 2023, Paul passed away in San Diego, Caifornia, surrounded by his family.

Paul was baptized and confirmed at Augustana Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.  He graduated from Robbinsdale (MN) High School and Augsburg College. He served in the U.S. Navy before returning to Augsburg. Paul graduated from Augsburg with a degree in music education and biology. While at Augsburg, he met his forever love, Maxine Larson. Both of them were in the Augsburg band and after they were married during Paul's senior year, they went on a 6 week honeymoon in Alaska on tour with the 60 member band. The Persson family grew to be a family of four with the addition of a daughter, Kristin Marie, and a son, David Mark.

Paul taught school in Aitkin, MN, and Muskegon, MI, after which he pursued a career in the pharmaceutical industry. He spent his career with Organon, Inc. as a sales representative in Minnesota, a hospital specialist in Chicago, IL, and then as Director of Training, Director of Special Projects and Chemicals, and a Project Manager in New Jersey.  When Max retired in 2014, Paul and Max moved to San Diego.

Paul was involved in community and church music programs for most of his life as either a choir director or choir member. In addition to city choirs, youth choirs, and church choirs, Paul directed the Male Chorus at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Paul was a soloist and sang for many, many weddings, funerals, and church services. When Paul first moved to NJ, he purchased and then disassembled a pipe organ which was later donated to and installed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dover, NJ where it now resides and continues to be played regularly.

In addition to his interests in music, Paul was also an avid golfer and amateur photographer. He loved ice hockey and served as a team coach when David was a youngster. He spent 30 years working with the high school hockey program in Morris County, NJ, serving as secretary-treasurer of the league, managing minor officials, and announcing games. Paul's Christian faith was of utmost importance to him and he was actively involved in congregations wherever the family lived. The highlights of his life were his two grandsons, David and Michael, his granddaughter-in-law Ema, and two great grandchildren, Ilie and Barrett. He loved going to activities, sport events, playing with them, talking and singing with them and just being together with them.  He was a very loving husband, Dad, Poppop, and FarFar.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Maxine; his daughter, Kristin; his grandsons David Paul and Ema (Arenchild) and Michael Dominic; his great grandchildren, Ilie Jean and Barrett Augustine Persson; sisters Nancy Embretson and Susan (Dennis) Johnson; cousins in the U.S. and in Sweden, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was predeceased by his son, David Mark; his parents Per and Jennie Persson; his sister, Anne O

Funeral services will be held at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in San Diego.  Interment of ashes will be in Cokato, Minnesota.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to