Paul E. Dahl, PhD Obituary (1927 - 2011)

Paul E. Dahl, PhD, age 83, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2011 in Lake San Marcos, California of causes incident to age. Born October 22, 1927 in Murray, Utah to Paul and Esther Craven Dahl, he is the oldest of six brothers. He was raised in Midvale, Utah and graduated from Jordan High School. After duty in the U.S. Army Air Force and service as a Swedish speaking missionary in Finland, he married Shirley Johnson on December 27, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Shirley preceded him in death in August, 1999. He married Phyllis Fife on December 8, 2001 in the San Diego temple where they met and both served as ordinances workers and enjoyed wonderful years together. Paul applied his love of the gospel and his love of the institution of family to a life-long pursuit of learning and teaching. He earned a bachelors degree at BYU followed by masters degrees in LDS Church History at BYU and in counseling at the University of Oregon. He completed a PhD at BYU in Marriage and Family Counseling. Paul spent over 50 years teaching in the LDS Seminary and Institute program with assignments in Escalante, Utah; Cedar City, Utah; Eugene, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Tucson, Arizona; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and San Diego, California. Paul was a licensed psychologist and marriage and family counselor. He was a caring husband, father, and grandfather. He shared his testimony and served the Lord as a bishop; stake president; and patriarch. Paul is survived by his wife Phyllis, sons Dave (Wendy); Greg (Lorraine); Sam (Rhea); John (Mylie); daughter Paula; and step-daughters, Suzanne (Clive) Langley; Melody (Rich) Grohmann; Cheryl Ampania; and Victoria (Paul) Hinks. He leaves 28 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is survived by four brothers, Richard, Grant, Rex, and Calvin. His brother Alan preceded him in death. Funeral services will be at the Roseboro Chapel, 1880 East 9800 South in Sandy, Utah on Monday, February 14 at 12:00 pm with a viewing starting at 10:00 am. Interment will be in the West Jordan, Utah cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund in his honor.