March 7, 1961 – April 21, 2026

Paul passed to the arms of the Lord on April 21 at the James House, Eventide Care Facility after a long and courageous struggle with Parkinson’s.  He was a fighter to the very end.

Paul was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, and emigrated with his family to Virginia in 1965.  He graduated from Woodbridge High School and entered the US Navy upon graduation.  He served as a Torpedoman on the USS Birmingham and after suffering a severe leg injury moved to a surface warfare ship, the USS Simon Kirk.  Upon his retirement, he became a security guard for the US Navy in San Diego and subsequently moved to Lincoln to be closer to family.  He worked as a state security guard for the Air National Guard base until his medical retirement.  He was well respected by his many co-workers and friends.

Paul loved guns, motorcycles, cars, drums, and life.  He never missed a chance to go target shooting with his brother, taking his convertibles around town, and just enjoyed his life to the fullest.  Even with his diagnosis of Parkinson’s, he continued to enjoy as much as he could.

After a fall in May of 2025, he moved to Tabitha for rehab and subsequently was moved to the James House where he enjoyed his days with the staff and residents.  Always competitive, he enjoyed the weekly shuffleboard games and was often crowned the champion.

Paul was a good soul, caring and respectful, and was admired by many of his coworkers in the National Guard, and by the staff and residents of the James House.  His laugh and comedy will be missed.

Paul leaves behind to grieve his sister Yvonne (Bill) Nelson, Arthur (Michelle) Richter, nieces and nephews Lisa (Dane) Johnson, Angela (Dan) Edgren, Jennifer Nelson, Christopher Nelson; great nieces and nephews Devyn (Nate) Collier and great-great niece Baker, Kyle Johnson, Karah Johnson, Korene Johnson, Caulin Johnson, Laityn Johnson, Zachery (Abby) Edgren, Nicole Edgren; Alex Brown, Jackson Buser, Lilyana Nelson.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents Artur and Ellen Richter, and his grandparents William and Jean Campbell.

Paul’s final resting place will be the Omaha National Cemetery, among his fellow veterans. Services will be at a later date.

Fair winds and following seas, Sailor, Bravo Zulu.

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