Dan Paulick

Dan Paulick, 87, a well-known and beloved Oshkosh author, publisher, and handyman died December 13, 2017 after a lengthy illness. To accommodate out of area family and friends, a celebration of his life was postponed until May 17, 2018.

Daniel (Dan) was one of eight children of Jacob and Mary (Spanbauer) Paulick. Two siblings, Clifford and Rosemary, died as infants. The remaining six endured The Great Depression. Were it not for the neighborhood store, Reichenberger’s Meat Market, who allowed payment for food items at a later date throughout the Depression, the family would not have survived.
Dan was a very kind, honest, and helpful person who believed in living a simple life. After graduating from Oshkosh High School, Dan and a friend, Robert Davis, canvassed the city of Oshkosh collecting clothing for Hungarian civilians who were fighting Soviet occupiers. The result was over 20 tons of apparel. The Oshkosh Fire Department stored the clothing until it could be shipped. With the help of Oshkosh University professor Dr Charles Debarsa, the apparel was smuggled into Hungary. Dan and Bob Davis were awarded International Humanitarian Medals.

In 1948, Dan was thrust into one of the first major international crises of the Cold War: the Berlin Airlift. During his duty in Berlin, Paulick was named to the Berlin Inspector General’s team. Before returning state side after four years of service, Paulick was offered a commission to West Point Military Academy. Rather than accepting, Dan decided to return to his hometown of Oshkosh and became a GI student at Wisconsin State College (UWO). He graduated with Honors and was listed in America’s Outstanding Students 1956 Edition.
Dan joined his brother, Jake’s construction company and in 1954, they built the framework around Leon’s Frozen Custard on Murdock Avenue that still stands today as originally erected. Thereafter, he joined the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper writing staff and later the Appleton Post Crescent where he wrote and provided pictures for the agricultural and sports articles before getting his own column called “Introspect.”

Later he served similar roles at UWO and Bergstrom Paper Company before embarking on his own writing career in Columbus, Ohio under Universal Creations. His first book of poetry, Beyond the Reaches of Man, was published in 1967.

In the following years, back in Oshkosh, Dan produced: a short story collection, Random Pieces of a Writer’s Quilt (the most popular); a romantic novella, A Triad Affair; The Iron Cube, a horror story inspired by the Penn State University scandal. Dan’s most recent work (2017) was A Mystery Money Man, a story based on a true account of an Oshkosh man who died in a fire, leaving nearly a million dollars hidden in his basement. Copies of his books have been given to the Oshkosh Public Library and are still available for avid readers.
Dan wrote for the love of it, did the design and publishing work and enjoyed sharing it with anyone who knew him. He was often invited to discuss and inspire elementary school children in Oshkosh with his stories that themed on making friends and being comfortable and happy with whom you are. Short stories such as El Tigre and SNOW: The Toy Rocking Horse gave hope for a better tomorrow. Students at Oshkosh North High School saluted Dan for his military service and literary contributions.

Dan asked for so little in material ways but gave so much to others. His greatest legacy: he lived what he wrote and believed we all needed to be reminded of—the power of love and forgiveness for errors we all make. He will be deeply loved forever and missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Preceding Dan in death were his parents, Mary and Jacob Paulick; brother and sister-in-law, Jacob and Marion Paulick; sister, Virginia Schneider and her son, Larry Schneider; sister, Gloria Schuff and her daughter, Mary Salenka; and sister, Danella Paulick-Huppler.

Survivors include sister, Angeline (Jack) Meidl; son, Daniel Paulick; and daughter, Rebecca Ann Paulick.

A special mention of gratitude goes to friends, Bernie Sullivan, Carter Augsburger, Rob Michno, Pamela Hamman, Audrey Allmers, along with caregiver and love of his life, Cynthia Paulick. Dan also appreciated the loving care of Dr. Kevin Andrasko and staff, along with hospice helpers, especially nurse, Lisa Kane.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Dan will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 11AM in St. Jude Parish-Sacred Heart Campus, 519 Knapp St, Oshkosh, WI. Father Matt Simonar will be the celebrant. A time of visitation will be held from 9AM until the time of Mass at the church. Military rites will be held outside the church after Mass. A burial will be taking place at Lake View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are encouraged to local charities.