I first met Dr. Ward while working at Bank of America. The moment he came in, his presence commanded the floor. As I read through the many memories and accomplishments here I truly see the beautiful soul this man was. He exemplified excellence but most of all, humility. His natural ability to be a friend, shoulder to lean on for anyone he met; made him the gem we all will remember. I had the pleasure of befriending this outstanding man for the latter part of his life. Every moment spent, even his last was filled with joy, and eagerness to teach. A man of faith, a man of strength, a good man. Cherished in my heart, always. 

I was one of the first trainers that were hired for a new Bally Health & Fitness club opening in Winter Park, FL back in 1985.  This is where I had the pleasure of being trained by Dr. Paul "Paulie" Ward.  He commanded the room with his contagious passion for fitness and made learning fun.  He has been an inspiration in my life to this very day and I thank him for touching my life and making it that much better from his teachings that I use to stay healthy and fit.

I have many fond memories of Dr. Ward. From skiing in Mammoth to boating at Lake Arrowhead. He pushed me physically and motivated me to finish the Ironman in Hawaii in 1983. Rest in peace my friend. 

I first met Dr. Paul Ward in 1966 at Portland State University.  At that time, he was the head line coach for our football team, the head coach for our powerlifting team and our field event's coach for our track team. He made a huge impression on me in most every aspect of my young life. He had a heart for people, was a strong Christian man with high moral values and my parents loved him because of his sincere honest character. Coach Ward took an interest in me regarding my athletic career and played a  major part in getting me an athletic scholarship at P.S.U.  My parents loved him and would always invite him over, to our home, for our family's Thanksgiving Dinners and other special occasions. My Dad would take us all fishing on his boat together. He was like family. Coach Ward  was truly a one of a kind human being  and is greatly missed.

Today I was made aware of additional postings to the Dr. Paul Ward Memorial site, so I clicked on to see the additions. As I re-read both the originals and newer ones, a big question rose up again with me.  

"WHY was Dr. Ward never inducted into his Whitworth College Athletic Hall of fame? "  After all  these years, Paul's  accomplishments in the Athletic Arena should be abundantly clear and obvious.  

Be sure and see Paul's  brother, Bob's tribute video on this site. It serves as a tearful reminder to those who didn't stay in touch (like me) or to those who have forgotten Paul's athletic accomplishments, and they are many.

I can't speak for the "induction committee",  (I don't even know who they are); but to the Ward family I say.   IN MANY OF OUR HEARTS, PAUL IS ALREADY  IN THE REAL WHITWORTH COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME.   May God Rest his Soul.



 


I just found out about Paul.  Paul was a good friend,   Throughout the years, he was extremely helpful to my family and I and I used to visit him every time I was in Southern California.  Our friendship began when I helped him with the formatting and statistical analysis to be published in his future book.  He was a wonderful man, reliable and ethical almost to a fault.  He will be greatly missed. 

I am uploading a picture of Paul with my girls (I snapped the picture) as early arrivals at a Rams game in about 1993.  He analyzed the whole game for them with a depth of knowledge non-athletes cannot imagine.

I came across this picture of me and Paul the night we were helping a fellow grad student, Myron Davis, with his dissertation. The expressions on our faces capture the time we spent together in Bloomington. Not only did we complete all requirements for our doctoral work, but we did it with gusto. Between Paul and I we added several years to Dr.Cooper's age and a few more gray hairs to his head. To say we enjoyed our time at IU would be an understatement. 

Paul's zest for learning, teaching, coaching, and living was unmatched. He will be truly missed! 

The attached picture was taken at my home in Houston during the 1982 national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Brother Bob and another of our IU classmates are pictured. Paul and I continued to be close as we worked together on several research projects. Paul was constantly seeking better methods of developing and training athletes. He was the consummate professional!

I met Paul in 1971 when I started work on my Doctorate at IU. We had a number of classes together and for the next two years became best friends. I was essentially his body guard. It was my responsibility to keep him out of trouble. That was a full time job! The picture I have attached was taken for a fellow student’s dissertation. Dr. Cooper included it in his Kinesiology text to demonstrate characteristics of the center of gravity of the human body. We were in our undies at the indoor track building. During the filming some sorority girls were working on their hand offs for the upcoming IM Track Meet. Paul decided to lend his expertise to them so he wandered over and proceeded to offer his advice. The young ladies accepted his teaching and were not too taken back by his attire!

Deepest condolences to the Ward Family. I have known Paul since 1980 as a friend coach , mentor. I have known no man with a greater love for God and Country as Paul did and in that order. When I needed a place to live Paul was there giving  me a place that was dirt cheap. I had access to his great knowledge and spent many hours in his library reading over a plethora of books and research articles on weight training along with his library with hundreds of films of the worlds best throwers.

 Paul was bigger than life he was as close to a  John Wayne figure as you could get except that Paul really did serve as a Marine. That time spent with Paul helped not only as a thrower/ Olympic lifter but he was a great help to my Faith in God. All this led to a 35 year career in coaching track and field and also Strength and Conditioning coach for over 20 years. While mourning his passing I looked up the many emails he has sent me over the past 20 years under the Ward file.

 He was always answering questions , looking out for me in the University liberal commie atmosphere I had to work in where there weren't a lot of like minded people

 What a God send he was to me !! And in the end God certainly knew that his final resting place would be also the same place where John Wayne is buried.
 You always kept good company Paul.

God Bless you always, Semper Fi
Love always never forgotten , Bob Otrando

1982 Olympic lifting meet Southern California Championships

TO THE FAMILY OF PAUL WARD:   I'm so very sorry for your loss.  God Bless you in this difficult time.

A memory I have of Paul, is that as the BIG GUY he was, he also had a big appetite. I roomed off campus one year with Paul, with five other guys, all different types, sizes, interests etc.  Paul was a weight lifter, football player and hefty eater. He usually used two dinner plates  at once,  and one of the guys was so "stricken with horror" at the amount of food that Paul consumed that his appetite was minimal, at best.  On another occasion, while traveling for Sports Competition, the Coach took all of us to an "All You can Eat" smorgasbord in Tacoma.  I remember the "look of horror" on the chef's face when Paul loaded up going through the line.......but here is the memory that most remains with me of Paul. in later years, Paul and I corresponded and shared some opinions which were quite divergent.  He didn't hesitate to let me know that I was "wrong...probably eating too much tofu...bordering on 'treason', and (with a little profanity) good thing I lived too far away from him to take a beating " etc. I was a little nervous when I later had the opportunity to spend an evening with him in California....You won't be surprised that he was friendly, gentle a complete gentleman...A "tough guy with a heart of gold".
May God welcome your soul with open arms, Paul Ward....    

 Ivan Phillips

One of my favorite memories of Paul was during the fall semester of 1954.  I was living on campus and eating at the team table in the dining hall.  If you wanted any food you had to be early and eat before Paul showed up.  He was kind of a legend in his capacity for food.  I was fortunate to see Paul again at the induction ceremony for our outstanding football team.  I will look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.  May God be with Paul's family and friends during this time of remembrance.

I’ve known Paul since 1972 through the American College of Sports Medicine. He often accompanied his brother Bob to masters track and field competitions.  He was a great athlete and highly knowledgeable about training for sports. I admired his passion for sport and his quest for knowledge. He was a good friend and colleague. 

I have a memory of Paul that I recorded in my journal 1997 (Whitworth Lounsberry Reunion weekend honoring former foot players and winning football seasons)  Here is my quote " I referred to Paul as a "Big Kahuna", who wore  not  just one, but two bird of Paradise Hawaiian silkie shirts the entire weekend.  A brut of a man about 6-3 and 290 pounds.  A Christian right winger who is serious but makes jokes about Hiliary and Bill Clinton and our U.S. government." He was funny, engaging and kept the conversations lively throughout the weekend.  It was a great weekend with classmates and friends and although I never saw Paul again, his participation that weekend is a memory to be cherished.  My heart is heavy with the life that is gone, but sharing this gave me joy in knowing this man who made so many  contributions to our country.  Marian Scafe Whitworth class of 1955.

On December 19th, 2018 I lost a very friend friend, Paul Ward.  It's such a feeling of emptiness which I know over time will heal itself.  In his final days he always maintained such a gentle and positive attitude which touched me the most as this was his true self.  There are so many memories I have of Paul I can't even began to share them all.
Attached is one of my favorite pictures with Paul from 1987 in San Jose, CA at the US Track and Field Nationals.  More to come....
One off the wall memory I have of Paul was when I was going out to the desert one weekend to meet up with my family and ride my dirt bike.  Paul decided he'd like to go too with a few other friends.  While out on a big dry lake bed,  Paul decided he wanted to ride the bike.  So off he went zooming away.  There were a few small humps on the lake bed you could do jumps on and the next thing I see is Paul heading for a small jump and thought....uh oh.  There he went, Paul did the jump with a subsequent plumb of dust rising up in the air [probably not a good sign of a successful jump].  We ran over to see him and he got up with cluster of notorious road rash wounds.  Thus ended the day of dirt bike riding adventures for Paul.
Thank you Paul for ALL the devotion and coaching expertise you gave me in Track and Field, thank you for being such a wonderful friend for over 30 years....and thank you for all the laughs you gave all of us over your lifetime.  You are greatly missed but will always be in our hearts.

Your long awaited journey to heaven has come.

OBITUARIO

Paul Earl Ward

30 enero, 1937 – 19 diciembre, 2018

Pacific View Mortuary & Memorial Park

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