Dr. Paul A. Young, close to his 97th birthday, passed away peacefully at home with his family on the morning of June 24th.
Dr. Young was born in St. Louis on October 3, 1926, the son of Dr. Nicholas A. (1890-1972) and Olive A. (Langford) Young. (1897-1983). He had two younger siblings, Mary Berilla of Kirkwood (1930-2017) and Catherine Petz of Mascoutah, Illinois. Dr. Young graduated from St. Louis University High School (Classical Diploma-1944) and St. Louis University (BS Biology-1947, MS Anatomy-1953). He was a member of the 1944-45 SLU basketball team and was offered a professional baseball contract that he turned down to pursue an academic career. Dr. Young received his Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of Buffalo in 1957 and returned home to St. Louis University School of Medicine, where he taught Neuroanatomy for over 60 years. Throughout his career, he was honored as a superb lecturer and was popular among his students for his ability to illustrate the complex anatomy of the human nervous system by using both hands to simultaneously sketch on the chalkboard. Dr. Young authored a number of books and interactive teaching programs on the Brain and one- Basic Clinical Neuroscience- continues to be widely used around the world. In 2010 Paul A. Young Hall at St. Louis University was dedicated to honor him and at that time it was noted that he had instructed 98% of all living graduates of St. Louis University Med School.
In the spring of 1944, Paul met the love of his life, Catherine Ann (nee Hofmeister) and they were married on May 14, 1949. Paul and Catherine had 10 children Dr. Paul Henry-1950(Lisa), Robert Nicholas-1951(Patricia), David Alan-1953(Chris), Ann (Rottler)-1954(Russell), Carol (Hamel)-1956(Terry), Richard Evan-1958(Martha), James Joseph-1959(Caroline), Steven Charles-1960(Laura), Kevin John-1962(Marti) and Michael Edward-1966(Nancy). Paul and Catherine established a wonderful home on Navajoe in Affton (St. Dominic Savio Parish) for their rapidly growing family that served as a community gathering space. The doors were never locked and the house and environs were always filled with kids and friends playing one game or another. Dr. Young often participated and enjoyed all sports, but his first love was baseball and the Cardinals. In 1988 Paul and Catherine moved the gathering place to Paradise Acres in High Ridge where they fulfilled their dream of farm life, cattle and a place for annual hayrides for family and friends. Sunday dinner was always a huge family affair. In 1999 Paul and Catherine celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage at the place they first met-St. Anthony of Padua- surrounded by family and friends. Catherine Ann passed away in 2004 after a decades long battle with breast cancer.
Paul is survived by his 10 Children and 30 Grandchildren- Dr. Julia Catherine Knox (Tim), Jennifer Anne Jadlot (Travis), Dr. Jason Paul (Ashley), Shannon Nicole Balsman (Phil), Jacqueline Elizabeth Maffett (Mark), Frank Gregory Masek (Randi), Dr. Christopher Ryan (Melissa), Dr. Nicholas Paul Rottler (Kelly), Cari Elizabeth Froidl (Matt), Thomas Evan (Vicky), Nathan Joseph Hamel, Catherine Carol Barthelmass (Nick), David Charles (Molly), Dana Marie Rottler (Peter), Brian Allen (Kimberly), Anthony Robert Masek (Kate), Abigail Christine (Al), Dr. Bethany Ellen, Robert Martin Carr (Caitlin), Catherine Rose Kenney (Brian), Clare Theresa Carr (Kyle), Elizabeth Ann Hamel, Mary Caitlin (Brian), Clare Elizabeth Miller (Lukas), Victoria Rose Carr, John Wesley, Sarah Rose, Brandon Cy, Evangeline Grace and Robert Luke. He was predeceased by 3 grandchildren Richard Nicholas (2015), Andrew Vincent (2022) and Adam Michael (2021). He was also blessed with 36 Greatgrandchildren Graycen, Grace, Lily, Lauren, Owen, Ryan, Lily, Sam, Cameron, Kate, Maya, Lucia, Ellie, Evan, Frankie, Myles, Emmy, Milli, Faith, Margaret, Jack, Lyla, Olive, Raegan, Brooks, Madison, Charlie, Hallie, Isaiah, Graham, Zachary, MJ, Barrett, Levon, Colette and Ezekial.
Services: Visitation at Kutis Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois on Friday June 30, 2023 from 3-9 pm . Funeral Service at St.Francis Xavier College Church on Saturday July 1, 2023 at 9:30 am 3628 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis 63108. Reception to follow at PAUL A. YOUNG HALL 3839 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis 63108 . Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions appreciated to Lifting Up STL (a nonprofit 501c organization) for Dr. Paul A. Young Endowed Med Ed Scholarship at 314.833.5220 or email us at info@liftingupstl.org
Paul was most gracious, treating a stranger upon our first meeting 30 years ago as a family member. A true friend these 30 years. His warm kindness will be forever remembered and forever missed.
Paul was always so friendly to everyone he met. I’ve know him for may years. He would welcome any and everyone in his home.
Paul you will be greatly missed.
Dearest Young Family,
I am so very sorry for each of you for the loss of your father, grandfather and great grandfather! He was a great man. He talked about each of you at one time or another. I worked for him in the gift body program from 1997 to 2004. I worked in that program for 1997 to 2014. I learned a great deal about handling issues that came up from Dr. Young. My favorite time talking to him every couple of months about his health, kids and St. Louis Cardinals Baseball.
He was a wonderful person. “May God protect each of you during this most difficult time “
Sending prayers for you all!
I planned to be present at the wake and the Mass, however there were unexpected problems that interfered.
Dr Young was an outstanding teacher who every year got standing ovation from his class. He and his wife, Catherine, were wonderful warm and caring humans that I learned to appreciate deeply.