Paul Alan Fotsch (known as Paul Grace from 1986-2010) passed away suddenly and without warning on July 23, 2023. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Keen Fotsch, his daughter, Leela Grace Barr, her husband Seth Barr, his daughter Ellie Grace and her wife Ami Freeberg, grandchildren Arizona and Afton Barr and Milo Freeberg, his stepdaughters Jessica Raymond and Alison Shortal, his brother Dan (Jackie) Fotsch and sister Chris (Joe) Gladden, nieces, nephews, and many many friends, fellow musicians, fans, and community members who deeply grieve his unexpected passing.
Paul was born on February 23, 1949 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the second son of Margaret “Peg” and Robert “Bob” Fotsch. He loved to make people laugh from a young age and referred to himself as the class clown during his school years. He was an early adopter of the “dad” joke and was always on the hunt for new jokes to elicit chuckles and groans. He had a mischievous twinkle that stayed in his kind, blue eyes his whole life.
At age 14, inspired by the Kingston Trio and (as he called it) “the great folk scare” of the ‘60s, he took up the guitar, which became his constant companion and great joy to his final day. He graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis and moved to Columbia, Missouri in 1967 to attend the University of Missouri. He graduated from MU in 1971 with a degree in Forestry. Though he did not end up working in this field, his love of and care for the natural world remained a fundamental part of his life. He stayed in Columbia after school and became a beloved figure in the community.
After college, he was part of a thriving scene of young hippies and musicians in Columbia and began playing the mandolin and fiddle, in addition to the guitar. He devoted himself to making music, being in community, and living lightly on the land. He helped run the community grocery and the Paquin Street Cafe and, in 1975, began homesteading on a farm on Cedar Creek. He married Win Horner in 1976 and their two daughters, Leela and Ellie, were born in 1977 and 1978 on this farm. In addition to growing, building, caretaking, baking, and music-making, he began hosting a weekly folk music radio show on KOPN in 1983 called Woody’s Children that he continued until 1995.
In 1986, he could no longer ignore the call of the music and began touring as a full-time professional musician. It is hard to quantify the delight and comfort he brought to hundreds of thousands of people all across North America over his lifetime as a musician. As he used to jokingly say, “I am really famous; just not very many people know it.”
Whether appearing at a protest, headlining a national folk festival, singing his young daughters to sleep, performing at the Lincoln Center, joining the Unity band, presenting an evening concert, jamming with friends, or playing fiddle for his delighted grandchildren, he devoted his life to spreading the joy of music. He was a full-time touring musician from 1986 - 2006 as a member of The Grace Family, Paul & Win Grace, and The Discovery Stringband (with Cathy Barton, Dave Para, and Bob Dyer), and he continued part-time until his death. He released eight celebrated studio albums (including A Place in the Choir, Fifty Miles of Elbow Room, Carved Out of Time, In Dreams I Hear the Music, Dance Upon the Earth, Love’s Lasting Light, and Most Perfect Harmony) and appeared as a featured guest on innumerable compilations and recordings by other artists. He drove the highways and byways from coast to coast and from Mississippi to Manitoba performing at schools, festivals, historical reenactments, coffeehouses, and concert halls…bringing music and laughter to every corner of North America. As he told curious school children, “Boys and girls, you can make tens of dollars as a folk musician.” He spent his last day on this earth sharing his contagious music and warm smile at the Columbia Farmer’s Market. His daughters are both carrying on his legacy as professional musicians.
In 2006, Paul joined the team at Woodhaven as a home coordinator. He worked with individuals with developmental disabilities to support them in living independently and participating in all aspects of community life. In this work, he learned American Sign Language and began teaching ASL classes to fellow caregivers. He was adored and respected by the residents, their families, and colleagues until he retired in 2020.
Paul met Barbara Keen in 2009, and, after many happy years together, they married in 2019. They enjoyed attending Unity of Columbia, where Paul was active in the music ministry. They found joy in outdoor activities such as hiking and bicycling, spending time with grandchildren, as well as in quiet times at home. They shared a love of music, service, and community, and Paul was a caring father figure to Barbara’s daughter, Jessica.
Paul was a student of spirituality, most recently studying the teachings of Thich Nhat Hahn. He truly lived his principles of acceptance, bringing non-judgmental kindness to all who crossed his path. He was a gentle friend to every animal he met – a devoted vegetarian, a proud cat dad, a beekeeper, and even the owner of a pet milk cow during his homesteading days. Most of all, he was a deeply loving, supportive, caring, playful, and adventurous father and grandfather. His daughters are eternally grateful to have grown up with Paul as their dad and to see him shine so brightly as a grandpa. He will always be loved and missed.
A celebration of life will be held at Unity of Columbia, 1600 W. Broadway on October 1st at 1:30 PM. A music gathering open to all will follow at Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary shelter, 3300 W. Rollins. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul’s honor to a memorial fund for his grandchildren: https://everloved.com/life-of/paul-fotsch/
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