Paul Deinert

Paul Deinert, 74, passed away at his home in Franklin, Tennessee on Thursday,  June 1, 2023 as a result of complications of Progressive SupraNuclear Palsy (PSP).

Paul was born September 21, 1948 in Los Angeles, California to Allen H. and Palma Lee Deinert. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, California in 1966 where his high school counselor told him he wasn’t smart enough for college and his best bet was to become a ditch digger or work in construction. However, like many men during that era, upon graduation, he immediately enlisted and went into the U.S. Navy. He served four years, much of his time spent on the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. Proud to serve his country, Paul was also in the U.S. Army Reserves during the 1980s-1990s.

Not one for digging ditches, Paul decided to give college a try and loved it so much, he spent many of his adult years trying to obtain one degree or another and successfully obtained three: B.A. in Political Science- Kent State University, Masters in Nursing- Vanderbilt University, and Masters in Business Administration- Lipscomb University. His education helped him obtain his career goals. Paul spent about 25 years of his life working as an outside plant engineer for various telecommunications companies. In the 1990s, he made a career change to healthcare and in 2018, retired from Cigna where he was the Director of Health Services- Clinical Research.

Paul was born with wanderlust in his soul. He traveled to all 50 U.S. states and the Philippines; all of the Canadian provinces, except Nunavut; and numerous other countries: Mexico, Vietnam, Singapore, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden. He had plans to visit many more countries before PSP robbed him of his mobility and cognitive abilities. In 1971, Paul met and married his wife, Chelsea, his partner in travel and life. Together, they moved over 25 times and lived in numerous states: California, Ohio, Indiana, Texas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Washington, and Tennessee. Typically moving themselves, they often looked like a cross between people playing an elaborate game of Tetris and a modernized reenactment of The Beverly Hillbillies. The frequent moves allowed Paul to take his family on vacations and camping trips to national parks and other places of interest all over the nation.

As much as he enjoyed traveling, Paul had other hobbies. He loved watching and playing sports. He played baseball for school and rec leagues from grade school into his 20s. He always rooted for the San Francisco Giants and the Minnesota Vikings. He enjoyed playing card games such as pinochle, gin rummy, cribbage, and hearts. He liked getting out to run errands or have lunch. He never minded waiting, because he was always striking up conversations with strangers and making friends and acquaintances wherever he went. So as his loss is felt on earth, undoubtedly, he’s already made a myriad of new friends above.

Paul is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Chelsea; his son, Michael of Columbia, TN; his daughter, Robin (Ron) of Old Hickory, TN; his son, Patrick of Columbia, TN; his brother, Allen (Christine) of The Villages, FL; his brother, Gary (Dawn) of The Villages, FL; his brother in law, Melvin (Linda) of Ft. Myers, FL; grandchildren: Joseph (Harika) Suvak of Murfreesboro, TN; and Hayden and Riley Burke of Marietta, GA; great-grandchildren: Kyle and Alex Suvak of Murfreesboro, TN; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Paul was predeceased by his parents, Allen H. and Palma Lee; his in-laws, Charles and Ellen Mishey; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral Mass is Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church: 535 Sneed Rd.; Franklin, TN 37069. Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass. Committal Service is Friday, June 16, 2023 at 10:00 am at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery: 7931 McCrory Lane; Nashville, TN 37221.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Paul’s favorite charity.