A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Paul David Drechsel will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Westminster Church in Gainesville with Pastor Chuck DeBardeleben officiating.
Paul David Drechsel passed away on December 8, 2009 in Gainesville. Mr. Drechsel was born in Newark, NJ on October 24, 1925, to J. Adolf Drechsel and Emma Marie (Hoops) Drechsel, as the youngest of four children. He graduated from West Side High School (Newark) in 1943, from Rutgers University in 1946, and received a PhD from Cornell University in 1951.
He was a research chemist for Hercules, Inc. for 35 years, retiring in 1986. Upon retirement, he relocated to Arden, NC. In early 2007, the Drechsels moved to Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville. Mr. Drechsel was active as a deacon and elder in whatever church the family attended, volunteered with the Rockdale (GA) County Historical Society, Asheville-Buncombe County Christian Ministries (ABCCM), and the Elachee Science Center. He sang tenor in the Raleigh Oratorio Society and numerous church choirs, played violin and viola, and encouraged a love of music in his children.
He loved the outdoors: hiking, backpacking, photographing flora, and bird-watching. He enjoyed his grandchildren, woodworking projects, travel in the US and abroad. Paul was a dedicated employee and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, but he would be the first to say that he loved the Lord and hoped that those close to him shared his faith. His family and friends will miss his optimism, curiosity, and energy.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Ruth Anne (Williams) Drechsel; his children, Emily (Robert) Lemcke of Canton, Marian (Lawrence) McCann of Seattle, WA, David (Elly Tanaka) Drechsel of Dresden, Germany, and Pamela (Stephen) Jenkins of Grove City, PA; grandchildren, Rachel and Zachary Lemcke of Canton, Jacob (Loala), Russell (Amanda), Carolyn, and William McCann of Seattle, WA, Franklin and Hanako Drechsel of Dresden, and Caitlin and Ronald Jenkins of Grove City, PA. Paul is also survived by his oldest brother, Edgar (June) Drechsel, of Berkeley Heights, NJ and their daughters, Lynn Boyer and Cynthia Ottenstroer, and niece Beth Hildreth of Delhi, NY and nephew Frederick Bayley of Deerfield, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Paul Drechsel to the Endowment Fund, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr, Gainesville, GA 30504 or Chatino Ministry Project/Daniel Case, Fellowship International Mission, 555 South 24th St, Allentown, PA 18104-6666 or Westminster Church, PCA, 1397 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30501 (Mini-bus for Seniors).
Online condolences may be sent to
www.masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Mason & Ward Funeral Home, Gainesville, Ga. 770-287-0220
