Industry leader Paul Frederick Christopher has passed

[Mike Labbe]

I saw this unfortunate news this morning, on Facebook.

Dear Friends, it is with deep sorrow that I must inform you that my father Paul Frederick passed away last night at UCSF hospital in San Francisco.
Paul emailed me around 8PM that he was "Feeling lousy" and was calling 911. I did not receive the email until 11PM and a doctor from the hospital called me as I was trying to locate my father. She told me he had trouble breathing and asked if I wanted them to intubate (put a tube down his throat). I agreed and left for the hospital. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived he was gone. In a surreal moment, two doctors approached me and gave me the news.
On the upside, my family and I had lunch with Paul last Sunday and I spoke to him almost every night since then. Just yesterday he had a beautiful bouquet of flowers sent to my wife and I for our anniversary. The note card read ,"Thanks for the happiness you give this old man."
If you find thirty minutes of time you can see a documentary film about Paul's amazing life at: http://vimeo.com/91203141

I plan to post some photos of Paul over the next few days. If you have questions please email me: johnchris@me.com

His son put together a touching tribute film:

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Jennifer Kruger]

What a touching and lovely tribute. Thanks so much for sharing this sad news.

 

[Sheila Pursglove]

I'm so sorry to hear this - I remember meeting Paul at the 07 Convention in Vegas when he signed books at our PPFA booth. And he was just in touch by email a couple of weeks ago, to wish the SE Chapter all the best for the upcoming Frame Fest.

Remarkable man. Remarkable life.

One of our PPFA awards is named for him: Paul Frederick Distinction for Leadership Award

And PPFA honored him with a PPFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006

I plan to do a special tribute in our Nov/Dec issue of PPFA News.

 

[Andrew Lenz Jr.]

A true loss.

Andrew

 

[Les Martin. MCPF]

Paul gave life a "run for it's money." It would be great to achieve just one of the many things in life he did. What our heroes should really be like.

 

[Carol Graham]

Such a tremendous loss; he was such an inspiration.

I sat beside him once in a limo and felt like a starry-eyed girl meeting a movie star! Paul was an amazing person.

Thank you for sharing the video.

 

[Jini Lumsden MCPF]

Thank you for posting this news and the link to his video. Such sad news, sympathy for his family.

It was just a bit overwhelming to watch this video and also see Vivian Kistler along with other PPFA members wishing Paul a Happy Birthday. What an amazing life! Paul Frederick surely will be missed. For me, he was the father of picture framing. That PPFA convention pictured in the video was my opportunity to meet Paul. He signed my dog-eared copy of his book.

Was Paul a major participant in creating PPFA? Does anyone know where to learn more of PPFA's history?

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

How sad! Tears came into my eyes.
That is how we all go one day and may we all live as long and healthy as Paul.
Thank you Paul for being such a mentor to so many framers. You will be missed.

 

[Robin Gentry MCPF]

Not the news you want to come back after a trip and see on a Monday Morning. PPFA and the Framing Industry have lost a Wonderful Person. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers.