Paul Dombrowski

Though he guarded his privacy, Paul did take great pride in showing off his yard. A 2003 State Journal full-page feature gave a tour, with Paul explaining how he sculpted his small plot with layers of trees and shrubs and simple plants shared from neighbors, displaying different shades of green and grey rather than relying on bright colored flowers as highlights. In 2008 he made the Isthmus weekly when vandalism to the Obama yard sign in his front yard revealed some questionably restrictive sign ordinances in Monona and elsewhere in Wisconsin. We will miss his unique perspective on everything!

"He was a superb party guest who could draw any lone stranger into conversation, lingering to the end to ensure quality time with the host as well." What a beautifully written description of Paul. He was such an interesting man and I loved working with him at Ingleside! Your description above is just perfect. He would always stay behind an activity and talk to me while cleaning up. My fondest memory was the day that Paul and I danced, him in his w/c self propelling, around the activity room as others watched. Rest in peace friend.

I met Paul for the first time back in the 1980s when he was weaving a "tale" with the owner of the antique store I worked at in Mount Horeb. A friendship that spanned decades ensued. He living in Monona and I in Mount Horeb meant that there were almost daily phone calls - very long ones. I knew who was calling if we had a big rain or snow storm and it was always him asking if we were getting the same thing "out there." Paul could be a challenge some days when he was upset about something but he always came around and I was always game to figure out if what he was telling me was true or just one of his well crafted tales. I do believe the story of his bite from a rattlesnake in his back yard, the one that died three days later - blamed on him - because I saw the two red puncture marks on his left hand. Ken and I miss him dearly - no worries now Paul.

Everyone who knows Paul thanks Brian Bigler and Ken Scott for their unflagging care of Paul. I am especially grateful because I have known Paul since the 1960s, although age and circumstances have curtailed our interactions in recent years. His acerbic wit and long memory made him good, and often exasperating, company. He once sneaked into my apartment, discovered a freshly baked sheet cake, and walked off with the four corner slices. He cackled about that prank for well over 50 years. I smiled, never joined in the cackling. Every friend of Paul's can tell a similar story, and Brian and Ken could compile their own substantial volume of them. Thank you, my friends, for taking care of one of my oldest friends and seeing him through to the end. Jack Holzueter P.S. to Gundersons. Please make it easier to find this page, especially for old, computer illiterates like me.

First met Paul in the 80’s when he came to my house asking if he could dig up some hostas, because he had just bought a home in Monona and he was 56 years old and didn’t have time for little sprigs of a plant to grow. From there a friendship evolved as well as many stories. Rest In Peace Paul, you are missed. Dar