Paul William Paese, born July 5, 1961, passed
unexpectedly in his home in Lake Geneva on
September 23, 2024.
Paul’s broad smile, booming laugh, boundless
curiosity, clever wit, and deep compassion were
known to all, and most easily seen in the
presence of his two sons, Benjamin and Daniel,
for whom he felt profoundly grateful and deeply
proud, and their loving mother Kathleen O’Neill,
his devoted partner of 34 years.
He leaves behind a large extended family of
aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
As a graduate of Plymouth High School and St.
Norbert College, Paul went on to earn his
doctoral degree from the University of Illinois,
and launched a four-decade career in the field of
organizational psychology and corporate
leadership. As a researcher and professor at the
University of Missouri-St. Louis, and founder of
Paese Management Consulting, he devoted his
life’s work to helping leaders and teams
communicate, collaborate, and bring more
humanity and compassion to the workplace.
Working with prominent organizations, Paul
originated methodologies that changed jobs,
teams, careers and lives for the better. Lauded
for his exemplary work, he was the recipient of
the Missouri Governor’s Award for Excellence in
teaching and the Finnie Adjunct Faculty Award
at Olin Business School, at Washington
University, where he was an adjunct professor.
While professional achievements came easily,
besting his sons and brothers in fishing
competitions is alleged (by them) to have
required more effort. But while the fish sizes
may be controversial, there is no doubt of the joy
he took from the experiences. Paul brought
adventure, fun, wit, and a warm human
presence to sports, exercise, travel, cooking,
community, and art. In recent years he became
a passionate and disciplined artist, designing
inspiring kinetic art, and crafting wood with free
stone into flowing sculpture. Many neighbors,
family and friends now display his work, each
piece gifted with personal meaning and a
message of love. Paul enjoyed the simplicity of
long walks, boating on Lake Geneva, and
spending time in the company of neighbors,
family, and friends. No moment could bring him
more peace than a leisurely kayak float down
the White River with his boys.
Paul is survived by his mother, Jean Paese, four
brothers – Dan and his wife Annie, with children,
Sarah and William; Andy and his wife Cathy,
with children, Tony, Robby, Maggie, and Sally;
Tom and his wife Mari, with children, Joseph,
MariBeth, David, and Audrey; Matt and his wife
Ellen, with children, Rachel and Louis.
Preceded in death by his father, Bill Paese, and
grandparents Vin and Dorothy Slabe, and Louis
& Catherine Paese
Visitation will be held at Suchon Funeral Home
on Saturday October 5, 2:00-4:00pm. Private
services will be held separately.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to
the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
(Donate to NAMI) or charity of choice.
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