Paul Starr Sypherd

Paul Starr Sypherd arrived on this earth in Akron, Ohio on November 16, 1936, into the loving arms of his parents Pearle Clinton and Mary Mildred Sypherd. When he left us on January 18, 2020, he was in the tender and loving arms of his wife Linda. Paul is survived by his “isn’t she just amazing!” wife Linda; his daughter Denise; sons David, Sean, and Scott; his loving grandchildren; and, his many other dear relatives.

When he was six years old, Paul’s family left Akron during WWII and moved to Goodyear, Arizona. He always considered himself, first and foremost, an Arizonan. In his early years he was active in his church; played baritone horn in the high school band; performed in high school theater; and, sang barbershop quartet with his three older brothers. Paul joined the Arizona National Guard when he was merely 17 years old and served proudly for seven years. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sargent. Paul shared many funny stories about the Mortar Company’s antics in the desert outside Ft. Huachuca.

Paul attended public schools in Peoria and Glendale, and was proud of attending Phoenix College for one year before transferring to Arizona State (College) University where he received his B.S. degree in microbiology with distinction. He then moved south and attended the University of Arizona and obtained a M.S. degree in Microbiology. It was an incredible accomplishment given that Paul worked full time with two small children. After completing his studies in Tucson, he hitched up a trailer to his station wagon and headed east to Yale University to pursue doctoral studies. A story Paul loved to share, was about having to get a map out when his advisor suggested Yale to find out where it was. His humility was on full display whenever he was asked where he got his Ph.D., and he would respond “New Haven, Connecticut.” Paul had truly humble beginnings and he never forgot about the help he received along the way from his teachers and professors who recognized his true potential, from government grants and fellowships, and the unwavering support of his loving family.

After completing his doctoral degree, he received a postdoctoral fellowship to the University of California, San Diego. Paul believed that his training and experiences at UCSD set him on his academic trajectory. He began his professional and research career at the University of Illinois where he had a fully funded research laboratory and obtained tenure in short order. Paul was then recruited to the University of California, Irvine where he became a full professor, Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics for over ten years, Director of the Medical Scientist Program, and Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. Simultaneously, he served in many professional societies, received a multitude of awards, was a founding editor of the Journal of Molecular and Cellular Biology, editor for the Journal of Bacteriology, served on the National Board of Medical Examiners Test Committee, served two different terms on the NIH Study Section for Microbial Chemistry, and the National Research Council Committee on Medical Education. Over the course of Paul’s 35-year research career, he and his students published over 150 articles in peer reviewed scientific journals. His publications dealt with topics in protein synthesis and nucleic acid metabolism in bacteria and fungi. He was also a pioneer in ribosome research.

It was during Paul’s Irvine days that he met and married “the love of his life,” Linda, and became a bonus Dad to Sean and Scott. These years were filled with loving family time, travel and joyous friend-making, as well as becoming a Grandad to his four wonderful grandsons.

If life wasn’t interesting and exciting enough, Paul was recruited to the University of Arizona as Executive Vice President and Provost in 1993. He served in that capacity for over seven years and felt privileged to lead a new emphasis on undergraduate education while continuing to support Arizona’s growing reputation as a research university. Paul was also proud of leading the development of the Integrated Learning Center. During his tenure as Provost, he focused on improving working conditions and opportunities for staff and faculty. One of his long-lasting contributions, was the closure of the campus between Christmas and New Year’s, so employees could spend precious time with their families. Paul also served as Interim University President in 1997 and continued to teach undergraduate seminars until his official retirement.

During his Tucson years, Paul became truly invested in the community. He served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, the Arizona Theater Company, and the Carondelet Hospital Foundation. He was also a member of the Accreditation Committee of the National Bar Association and the Arizona Board of Pharmacy. Contributing always, Paul was never at a loss for words when it came to writing opinion pieces and letters to the editor.

Paul’s career was where he defined himself as an educator, a researcher and a gifted administrator, but it was in Paul’s retirement years, when he really soared. He became a self-taught chef and loved preparing meals for family and friends. He loved captaining his boat and complying with his granddaughter Payton’s demand to “go faster Papa, faster!” He enjoyed playing at golf and found home improvement projects both challenging and fulfilling. Paul always looked forward to summers at Lake Tahoe with treasured family and friends. Later, he found joy in making memories on the beach at La Jolla with his family, eating wonderful meals together and watching with delight the little kiddos and big kiddos alike. These were happy and joyous years with a focus on travel, being “Papa” to his wonderful grandchildren, and solving the world’s problems with the ROMEOs (retired old men eating out). Paul had so much pride in his family and cared deeply about his friends, colleagues and students. He was generous of spirit, feisty, loving, gentle, thoughtful, wise and giving. He will be forever loved and remembered.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020, 1-3 p.m., at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, University of Arizona.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS and in recognition of Paul’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, please make contributions to: The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or to an organization of your choice.