O
Remembering
Paul Kloecker
Written By Bev Stenehjem
n Friday, December 15, the city of
Gilroy lost one of its most dedicated
and best loved public servants, Paul
Kloecker. Council Member Kloecker, 82, passed away just
three days after attending a City Council meeting. Ailing and
weak from lung disease which necessitated the carrying of
an oxygen tank, Kloecker insisted that he be at the meeting.
“As difficult as it was for Paul to be there, he wanted to make
sure he distributed Christmas presents to his fellow council
members,” noted Jane Howard, Executive Director of the
Gilroy Welcome Center, who was also there at the meeting.
“When I think of Paul, two words that describe him come
to mind: honor and integrity—he was a man who stood by
his principles.”
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
By all accounts, it is an understatement to say that Paul
led a full life. His long list of personal accomplishments is
only surpassed by the even longer list of his public service
and volunteer activities. With a bachelor’s degree in mechani-
cal engineering he was a registered professional engineer.
Paul served 22 years in the Navy as an officer in the Civil
Engineer Corps where in addition to a bronze star, he earned
a master’s degree in Financial Management. As an engineer
construction manager, he helped build runways and housing
while stationed in Vietnam.
After his naval career, Paul started a second career as a
construction manager for Silicon Valley companies during
the booming 1980s. He was a city councilman for the City
of Gilroy—four terms over. An accomplished musician,
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018
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