Paul C. Hartwigsen Obituary
A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Paul will be laid to rest at Ft. Custer National Cemetery with full military honors. If desired, memorial donations in his name may be made to Ministry with Community, in c/o the funeral home.
Paul Christian Hartwigsen, a devoted family man, Navy veteran, and lifelong learner, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, June 23, 2025, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan, surrounded by those who loved him.
Paul was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 15, 1938, to Henry and Eleanor (King) Hartwigsen. In 1967, he married Sharon Hayman who survives him. She was his best friend, confidant, and partner. For forty-one years they enjoyed their home on Eagle Lake, Texas Township.
Paul left high school his senior year at Cass Tech to join the Navy in 1956, where he proudly served on the battleship USS Wisconsin until 1958, and the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier from 1958-1959. Later he served in the Navy Reserves. Paul continued to have a great affinity for the Navy for the rest of his life and was known to salute every time he heard the National Anthem (even when it was being played on television.).
Paul was a brilliant, self-made man. He was a member of Mensa, and began studying data processing in the 60's. He worked as a software developer on mainframe computers and enjoyed a long career in technology. In addition to his love of technology, Paul was an entrepreneur and opened multiple computer businesses throughout his career. Notably, he and Sharon opened Keystone Systems in Kalamazoo, the first computer programming business in the city. Together they enjoyed running the business for ten years.
Paul was a true Renaissance man. He was well read and had a wide range of hobbies and interests at which he excelled. He was a talented woodworker, an excellent cook, and a thoughtful poet. His family especially enjoyed the individual poems he wrote for each member of the family for Christmas and birthdays. Paul completed crossword and sudoku puzzles every day and loved reading about history.
Paul was a devoted Michigan sports fan, especially of the University of Michigan and the Detroit Tigers. He and Sharon shared a deep love of travel and a mutual passion for learning about and helping others. Paul volunteered with many organizations throughout his life. Paul and Sharon were members of First Presbyterian Church and attended Pine Island Presbyterian Church, Texas Corners. Paul was instrumental in organizing the relationship between First Presbyterian Church and the Pine Island congregation.
Besides his wife of 58 years, Paul is survived by his children, Lauren Fitzmaurice, Mike Hartwigsen, Kristin Hartwigsen; grandchildren, Vanessa (Cameron Neilley) Miller-Neilley, Rebecca (Josh) Looney, Connor (Chelsea Axtell) Hartwigsen; great-grandchildren, Jackson Looney, Callum Looney; and countless friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Hartwigsen; and his special feline friend, Kitty.
Paul will be missed immensely for his compassion, optimism, humor, and his lifelong love of learning and teaching others. To honor his memory, enjoy a Boston cream pie donut, sip a glass of boxed red wine, or take a refreshing swim in a lake. And in Paul's own words: "If you're ever in the neighborhood again, stop by.".
