Dr. Donald Clark Paup
April 2, 1939 ~ August 7, 2012
Obituary
Donald Clark Paup, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and American badminton champion, died on August 7, 2012, at his home in Vienna, VA, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 73.
Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Helen Sands Paup; two daughters, Elizabeth Schlier and husband Carl, and Jennifer Butlin and husband Steve; four grandchildren, Inga, Eric, Rachel, and James; and sister, Harriette Mae Morris. He is remembered as a dedicated family man, world-class athlete, professor, and coach; and for his strong faith, character, integrity, kindness, and sportsmanship. His wife and daughters especially remember him always having time for them and putting family first.
Dr. Paup was born on April 2, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA. He is predeceased by his parents, Marvin K Paup and Corinne Vincent Paup; and 3 brothers. He moved to Virginia with his wife and daughters in 1973.
Dr. Paup valued education, earning his BA from Occidental College and MS and PhD from Tulane University; and post-doctoral fellowships at Michigan State University and University of California, Los Angeles. He was a long-time Chair of the Exercise Science Department at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and led the Cardiac Rehab Lab and Runner's Clinic during his tenure. In 2006, after 33 years of dedicated service, Dr. Paup retired as Professor Emeritus of Exercise Science.
A badminton legend, Dr. Paup won national and international titles from 1968 through 2002. He won 15 National Men's Doubles championships, 3 National Mixed Doubles championships, and the Mexican and South African Open Men's Doubles championships. Internationally, he played on, captained, or coached the U.S. Thomas Cup Teams from 1964 to 1979, U.S. Devlin Cup Teams, and the U.S. Touring Team to South Africa. He was inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame in 1973, and years later, the Walk of Fame; received the Ken Davidson Sportsmanship Award in 1976; and served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (1968-97). He served as Service Judge for the Thomas Cup (1967), Umpire for the World Games (1981), and Line Judge for the Olympic Games (1996). He authored badminton skills books and teaching films, and over 50 publications in the field of exercise and sport science; and enjoyed many summers coaching the Connecticut and GWU Badminton Camps.
A memorial service will be held on October 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, located at 2589 Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna, VA. The family appreciates memorial contributions to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at https://support.pdf.org/. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.moneyandking.com.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Donald Clark Paup, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and American badminton champion, died on August 7, 2012, at his home in Vienna, VA, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was 73.
Survivors include his loving wife of 49 years, Helen Sands Paup; two daughters, Elizabeth Schlier and husband Carl, and Jennifer Butlin and husband Steve; four grandchildren, Inga, Eric, Rachel, and James; and sister, Harriette Mae Morris. He is remembered as a dedicated family man, world-class athlete, professor, and coach; and for his strong faith, character, integrity, kindness, and sportsmanship. His wife and daughters especially remember him always having time for them and putting family first.
Dr. Paup was born on April 2, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA. He is predeceased by his parents, Marvin K Paup and Corinne Vincent Paup; and 3 brothers. He moved to Virginia with his wife and daughters in 1973.
Dr. Paup valued education, earning his BA from Occidental College and MS and PhD from Tulane University; and post-doctoral fellowships at Michigan State University and University of California, Los Angeles. He was a long-time Chair of the Exercise Science Department at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, and led the Cardiac Rehab Lab and Runner's Clinic during his tenure. In 2006, after 33 years of dedicated service, Dr. Paup retired as Professor Emeritus of Exercise Science.
A badminton legend, Dr. Paup won national and international titles from 1968 through 2002. He won 15 National Men's Doubles championships, 3 National Mixed Doubles championships, and the Mexican and South African Open Men's Doubles championships. Internationally, he played on, captained, or coached the U.S. Thomas Cup Teams from 1964 to 1979, U.S. Devlin Cup Teams, and the U.S. Touring Team to South Africa. He was inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame in 1973, and years later, the Walk of Fame; received the Ken Davidson Sportsmanship Award in 1976; and served on the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (1968-97). He served as Service Judge for the Thomas Cup (1967), Umpire for the World Games (1981), and Line Judge for the Olympic Games (1996). He authored badminton skills books and teaching films, and over 50 publications in the field of exercise and sport science; and enjoyed many summers coaching the Connecticut and GWU Badminton Camps.
A memorial service will be held on October 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, located at 2589 Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna, VA. The family appreciates memorial contributions to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation at https://support.pdf.org/. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.moneyandking.com.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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As a young girl, I remember Uncle Don and his movie camera with the blazing lights panning the room at a family party. It was fun, exciting and blinding! As I grew older I came to appreciate him for his other qualities. He was always fun and upbeat but, I remember having several serious conversations with him as he asked about my plans for the future. He had the heart of a true educator; he always wanted people to succeed. Doug and I loved his smile because it really did light up his face. I can still picture that big smile on his face as he turned to see Aunt Helen come down the aisle on Grandpa Sands’ arm at their wedding. We send our heartfelt condolences to Aunt Helen and our cousins Elizabeth and Jennifer and their wonderful families. We know that you all made a beautiful, honorable life for each other here on earth and that you’ll meet Uncle Don again in heaven. Love, Doug and Janet
Don I have many fine memories of our time together. I always looked forward to meeting you during my trips to the USA, you will be sorely missed. I thank you for the love you gave to my son and for accepting him into your family.
I was fortunate enough to be an in-law to Helen and Don, and from the outset,they made me feel welcome to the family, I remember Don best with a smile on his face, interested in everyone and everything. he had a special twinkle in his eye, and a great sense of humour. Bless you Don.xox
You were exactly the kind of Father in Law any man could wish for……kind, generous, supportive, loving. You welcomed me into your family as one of your own. I will miss you more than you could imagine. All my love, Steve
Whenever I walk to the beach, I remember visiting the Paup family while they were living in a former sorority house by the shore here in Long Beach. Although I was a child at the time, I was impressed by Dons dedication to the safety of his children. Anyone else would have been satisfied with a regular pool cover, but he built a sturdy wooden deck that made it impossible to access the pool without spending an afternoon unbolting the structure, which he said he did when they really wanted to swim!
Helen and family, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Don Paup. What a diverse and wonderful man. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from his example both on and off the badminton court. He always amazed us younger players with his smart playing and quick reflexes. And when the competition was over, Don could be equally as quick with the wit or insightful with his observations. And of course his love and devotion for family always showed through. My thoughts are with all the Paup family. – Guy Rittmann –
Dear Helen, today, I came across the note about Dons death. I have often thought of you and Don in the past, and I deeply regret, not having been able to see you and Don more often during the last forty years. I still keep wonderful memories from our years together at Tulane and your warm hospitality. Also about many study periods for seminars and tests as well as strenuous trips through the Southwestern States, which Don and I undertook testing for the Head Start Program, which not only provided us with valuable professional experience but also many memorable get-togethers and discussions. And then, last but not least, my unfortunately quite inefficient efforts to become a half-way decent Badminton player under Dons guidance. And I can tell you, I havent swung a racket ever since, without asking myself what Don might think about my performance. Dear Helen, my thoughts are with you at this time of loss for you and your children. Yours, Bruno