Paul Carl Nordberg's Obituary
On Tuesday, November 15th, 2022, Paul Carl Nordberg, devoted husband, father, brother and friend, died at the age of 91. Paul was born in Los Angeles on July 6th, 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression. Raised by his Danish father and his beloved mother, he and his younger brother and two sisters enjoyed a childhood of great freedom and occasional mischief. Their “victory garden” along with the chickens and rabbits they raised, as well as his lucrative paper route with his brother Dan where they earned enough to buy their first car, were among his fondest memories of those early days.
In 1951 Paul joined the US Navy to fight in the Korean War. He was stationed in Japan and developed a lifelong admiration for Japanese culture and design. Upon his return, Paul embarked on a rich and varied life with endless fascinating “chapters” in his story. He dug ditches with the Navajos in New Mexico, worked on highways and oil derricks in Wyoming, drove a diesel rig, and primarily worked as a technical illustrator for most of his life until he settled into teaching in the art department at Pierce College in the late 1970s. His favorite job, however, was likely his time spent working at the racetracks in Santa Anita, Del Mar and Hollywood Park. There he often sat and chatted with some of the great old Hollywood movie stars, and those encounters were the basis of some of his greatest stories going forward.
Telling stories was one of the many places where Paul really shined. He was also a great runner and athlete; loved to fish and the outdoors; was an exceptionally talented artist; a gifted and patient teacher; a fine dancer; appreciated birds, nature and flowers; loved beautiful women; and could tell a really good racy joke from time to time. His love of golf topped all else and his fervor for the sport showed in his impressive skill on the course, often outplaying those half his age.
More than anything though, Paul was devoted to those he loved, primarily his wife of 34 years, Valorie. Through her paralysis in 1995, and her previous and current battles with cancer, Paul cared for her with a level of tenderness and dedication that was unmatched, and which became one of the defining characteristics of the last several decades of his life. His sense of humor, his patience, and his selfless good nature never wavered, and even in the most difficult times Paul was charming above all else.
Paul also leaves behind his children, Valerie, Terry and Lauren who loved and admired him so deeply and who cared for him during his brief illness at the end of his life. Paul was exceptional, not just as a father, but also as a role model and example to all those who loved him, including his daughter in law Susan; son’s-in-law, Matt and KC; and his five beloved grandchildren, Rose, Matthew, Maryanne, Marie and Lila. He will also be profoundly missed by his siblings, Dan, Barb and Virgie; his large extended family; and his dog Max. Paul is predeceased by his son Mark.
Paul was a truly great man, who lived every day of his life to the fullest, and who loved deeply and laughed often. His was an enviable life and one that should be celebrated above all else. A memorial service will be held for Paul on December 2, 2022 at St. Stephen’s Church in Valley Center, CA and his burial will take place at Oak Hills Memorial Park in Escondido.
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