Paul Frederick Wagner Jr.

OBITUARY

Paul F. Wagner Jr, devoted father, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2018 at the age of 69. Paul was born in Houston, Texas to the late Paul F. Wagner Sr., a Commander in the United States Navy, and the late Anita (née Eppinger) Wagner. His family first moved to Arlington County Virginia in 1956, after being stationed for several years in Kamakura Japan. Arlington became Paul’s home, being interrupted only by the family’s reassignment for several years to Manama, Bahrain. Paul attended James Madison Elementary and Williamsburg Junior High School, and graduated from Yorktown High School. Paul attended the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, receiving a BA in Economics and an MLA in Landscape Architecture.

Military families travelled overseas primarily by ship and this afforded the Wagner family the opportunity to visit Turkey and Italy during their travels to and from their ultimate destination. Returning by ship from Bahrain provided 12 year old Paul ample opportunities for scientific experimentation. His attempt to lay a single line of twine from the Bay of Naples to the port of New York was unfortunately cut short when the ship’s engines momentarily paused as the pilot boat guided the liner from port to sea. Nearby children on deck panicked and started the unfortunate rumor that Paul’s twine had wound around the ship’s propellers.

Paul also enjoyed visiting the ship’s purser every morning to retrieve empty liquor bottles, placing a message with the ship’s location and his grandmother’s address inside, sealing the bottle with candle wax, and then pitching it into the sea. One bottle reached the coast of Scotland. His love of travel carried over to his professional life.

Mr. Wagner worked for the U.S. State Dept. for over 23 years, traveling to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. At the time of his death he was a Security Specialist Desk Officer frequently traveling to consult on US embassy security measures throughout Africa. Prior to being assigned to Africa Paul was the Desk Officer assigned to security projects in Europe. Paul traveled to State Department project sites he was responsible for, including NATO in Brussels, Belgium; Riga, Latvia; Rome, Italy; Belgrade, Serbia; Vilnius, Lithuania; Valletta, Malta; Madrid, Spain; Zagreb, Croatia; The Hague, Netherlands.

Mr. Wagner loved graphic design, folk art, music and dance. He collected classic world travel posters, stamps and tin whistles. He greatly admired the beautiful weavings created by his wife. Paul’s interests were far ranging, including glass blowing, playing classical guitar, and clog dancing. He met his wife Lisa while clog dancing at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival. Recently, Mr. Wagner discovered swing dancing at the old Glen Echo Park ballroom. He was, of course, an avid Georgia Bulldog fan. Go Dawgs!

Paul was pre-deceased by his wife, Lisa Jean King Wagner of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Mr. Wagner is survived by two sons, Paul Frederick Wagner III and William Henry Wagner, also of Arlington, Virginia and a sister, Karen Anita Wagner of Atlanta, Georgia.

Memorial Services are planned for Saturday, April 7th at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church 4520 N. Glebe Rd. Arlington, VA at 11:00 AM.