Robert Paulsen

Robert (Bob) Gerald Paulsen, age 75, of Thorndale, passed from this life to his heavenly home on March 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, Daddy, PawPaw and friend.

Born in Seattle, Washington to Eleanor & Gerald Paulsen he was a big bouncing baby boy—a 1947 model as he used to joke. And he and his sister Nancy would move around the US and even lived in Cuba with his Dad’s Naval Career.

He graduated from high school in Arizona as the Vietnam draft was taking place, and decided to be proactive and join the Air Force as a communications specialist. While stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas he met and fell in love with Ann Johnson and her big Texas family. They were married in Palm Valley Lutheran Church on March 28, 1970. He earned a degree in Forestry from Northern Arizona University.

He began a farming career, and later started Johnson & Paulsen Farms with his father-in-law, Ernest Johnson and brother-in-law Buddy Johnson. Starting in Round Rock and Pflugerville with custom hay bailing to earn extra income and working up to over 2,000 acres in cultivation at the end in San Gabriel, Texas. Bob was blessed with a green thumb and could grow anything; and he was also like the MacGyver on the farm who could fix everything. Additionally, he sold Dekalb seed, became a partner in Taylor Equipment Company to reduce the cost of repairs and new equipment, and would raise dairy cattle when the beef cattle prices dropped. He took care of our family and always made sure that we had everything we needed.

His hobbies including gardening, collecting guns and reloading his own ammo. He enjoyed going hunting and fishing with Chris, Aaron, Eric and his grandkids. Cheering on his grandchildren in softball, baseball, basketball, football and cheerleading. He also loved to play dominoes, spades, sequence and most any other game with us all.

Bob was strong in his faith and involved in church and community activities to include serving as President of the St. Paul Lutheran School Board, St. Paul PTO President, serving as a church elder and on the finance committee. He is also a past President of the Thorndale Farmers COOP and served on the tax appraisal board.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of almost 53 years, Ann; three children and seven grandchildren. Daughter Janelle Dziuk (and husband Chris; daughters Katelyn & Lauren) of Falls City, Texas. Son Eric Paulsen (and wife Courtney; daughters Ashleigh Jann (husband Jacob) and Jacey Rae) of Thorndale, Texas. Son Aaron Paulsen (and wife Kristi; daughter Olivia and twin sons Peyton and Ethan) of Temple, Texas. Sister Nancy Otto of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (husband Jim; sons Brian and Christopher and wife Samantha).

He is proceeded in death by his parents Eleanor & Gerald Paulsen. His Pallbearers are nephews Justin Johnson, Darrell Morgan, Will Coward, David Anderson, Kevin Widner & Kurt Rhinehart. Honorary Pallbearers are his brothers-in-laws Buddy Johnson, Harvey Johnson and Gary Dishberger.

A visitation is planned for Tuesday, March 7 ^th from 5:00-7:00 PM at Providence Funeral Home in Taylor, Texas. The funeral will be on Wednesday, March 8 ^th at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, Texas, followed by burial in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the General Fund at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Thorndale, Texas.

Revelation 21:4

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." The Good News: In heaven, we will feel no pain, no sorrow, and there will be no death.