Paul Daniel Zugger

Surrounded by loving family, Paul Zugger passed away May 1, 2024. His laughter and energy are deeply missed. His life was filled with music, friends, and working on projects to maintain an old house. He was a loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Born in Buffalo, NY, he met his wife Jean at college in Ohio. They married and went to Peru in the Peace Corp in 1966. This attitude of service was motivation for attaining a Master’s degree focused on improving water quality, which he applied in Michigan. Much of his career was in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality devoted to his position as the Chief of Surface Water Quality. He also deeply cared about his work as the Chief of the Environmental Assistance Division.

Paul and Jean’s sons, David and Peter, were central to their life. We all fondly remember Paul taking each son for father-son camping weekends. Paul enjoyed canoeing with David on the Pine River, and exploring South Manitou Island with Peter. We also had great family trips seeing family and friends and exploring the natural wonders of America, with a few trips to Canada and Europe. After David and Peter left home and built lives of their own, Paul and Jean continued to keep them in their lives. They loved David’s wife Lena, and their granddaughter Eileah, and visited as often as possible. They also loved going down to New Mexico and spending time with Peter and his wonderful friends.

Paul was a lifelong softball player, even into his 70’s. He also loved playing volleyball. He took up golf later in life and thoroughly enjoyed it and his friends in the league.

On retirement, Paul gave his time to the Michigan United Conservation Corp for several years. He then joined Engineers without Boarders. His first engagement was a brief assessment of the drinking water situation in Madagascar. A more extensive project was building a bridge down in El Salvador. He was then involved in a water project in Honduras.

Paul and Jean agreed to enjoy life day-by-day as he dealt with vascular dementia that slowly overtook him in his last years. The family wants to thank both Sparrow Home Hospice and Hospice House for their kindly care in the last few months. They made the unbearable bearable.

A Celebration of Life for Paul will take place at a later date.