Paul John Kolb was born on Nov. 30, 1948, in Melrose Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

He grew up in Mayfield, Illinois, but spent most of his adulthood in Northern California, working primarily in the field of engineering in the Bay Area.

He served his country as a helicopter pilot doing three tours in Vietnam.

He served his community by working with the NAACP and for the advancement of Native American rights.

Paul was an environmentalist who enjoyed hiking, travel and finding artifacts, which he did before and during his 22 years in Lake County, California.

His friends were many and diverse and Paul was as true a friend as one could hope for.

Later in life he spent his time conserving his property in rural Upper Lake, California.

He died unexpectedly and suddenly while working on his water treatment system on Nov 20, 2023, at the age of 75.

Services will be for family at his gravesite near his mother in Illinois.

Paul will be greatly missed.

In lieu of a funeral, please donate to the local charities for environmental, Native Americans or the NAACP of Lake County.