More detail on this person: Published in The Arizona Republic from Apr. 1 to Apr. 4, 2021 - Phoenix, Arizona - Lt. Col. Paul R. Schildgen, USAF (retired), made his Final Flight and flew west to touch the hand of God on March 21, 2021. He was born in Chicago and grew up in Indiana. He graduated from Ball State University and the ROTC program in 1960. He married and left for pilot training. After completing fixed wing pilot training, Paul attended helicopter school. He served in Air Rescue; whose motto is: "that others may live" and for almost 2 decades, Paul helped rescue many people. He commanded the Air Rescue unit at K.I. Sawyer AFB in the 1970's. Later in his career he transitioned to fixed wing and then a desk job. During his years of service, he earned multiple awards and medals, including The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal (second oak leaf cluster). He served in Vietnam, England, Germany, Korea, and many states. He was proud of having been in all fifty states. He retired from the Air Force in 1988 at which time he started an aviation consulting business. He also sold rare and collectable books in antique malls and on E-bay doing business as Yesterday's Memories. Paul was active throughout his life in service to his community. He was a Boy Scout Assistant Scout Master in the 70's and he and his troop hiked the Grand Canyon, Rim to Rim to Rim. Paul was very active at Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral for many years. He was a founding member of the Cathedral Knights of Columbus and a two-star grand knight. He was also a member of Christians in Commerce. In later years he and his family were members of St Jerome Catholic Church and greatly enjoyed the fellowship there. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jeffrey. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Norma (Williams), daughters Suzanne (Archie) and Denise, sister Mary; grandchildren Amanda, Tabatha, Patricia, Nicholas, and Archie; great grandchildren Jillian, Savanah, Archie and one due soon. He delighted in spending time with his grandchildren in Virginia and Wisconsin. Paul was a man of God that loved his family. If desired, donations may be made to St Vincent de Paul Society. Services will be April 12th, at St Jerome Catholic Church on 35th Ave. then internment will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
Burial information: National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
This information was last updated 04/05/2021
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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