Paul A. Petzrick *66

Body

Paul died July 2, 2024, in Crownsville, Md.

He was born Aug. 13, 1929, in Menomonie, Wis. After attending the Naval Academy and commissioning as a naval line officer in 1954, Paul received a B.S. in civil engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He earned a master of science degree in engineering from Princeton in 1966.

Paul’s naval career included deployments in Vietnam, and construction and public works positions in research and development in the Civil Engineer Corps.

He was named a charter member of the Senior Executive Service of the U.S. Department of Energy when it was created in 1977. In 1991, Paul joined the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Power plant research program. He studied innovations in energy production and side effects such as carbon dioxide, coal ash, noise, cooling water, wastewater, and boiler slag. Paul never retired, and at 94 was the state’s oldest full-time employee.

In 2023, he received an honorary doctor of science degree from Frostburg (Md.) State University.

Predeceased by his wife, Mimi, Paul is survived by his children, Paul Jr., Ernest, Christina, and Amy; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Graduate alumni memorials are prepared by the APGA.

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