Paul W. Nebel, age 89, of Cambridge, died September 6, 2018 at The GracePointe Crossing Gables in Cambridge. He was a loving husband to Lola for 65 years. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, SEPTEMBER 22nd at First Baptist Church, 304 Main Street S., Cambridge. Visitation 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the church. Private inurnment at Stanchfield Baptist Cemetery. Memorials preferred to First Baptist Church; 304 So. Main, Cambridge, MN 55008
Paul W. Nebel was born on November 21, 1928 in Braham to Fred and Hadena (Erickson) Nebel. He was next to the youngest of seven children. Paul graduated from Braham High School in 1946 as Valedictorian of his class. He attended Bethel College, then the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1951 with a BS and a BEE with High Distinction. He was hired by Honeywell the same year.
Paul married his high school sweetheart, Lola Nelson, in 1953. In 1955, Paul chose to join the Navy instead of being drafted. He went to Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI for three months and was commissioned as Lieutenant JG. After three years of active duty, 1955-1958, much time as Aircraft Maintenance Officer aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga, Paul was back at Honeywell.
He was part of design teams of control systems for various military and commercial aircraft. Honeywell’s Aero Division became Aero/Space with the advent of NASA’s Apollo program. Quite a few Apollo and subsequent Space Shuttle documents have Paul’s name on them. He was lead engineer for the main engine controller of the Space Shuttle.
Paul enjoyed woodworking and building furniture for family members and friends. His biggest building project was when he built his retirement home on Paul’s Lake in 1983. After having a contractor frame the house, Paul did all the finishing inside over the next five years. The move to Cambridge was August, 1987 and Paul retired in December, 1988 after 37 years at Honeywell. After a couple of years with a workshop in a basement room, he built a 24×36 workshop across the road. Paul used his woodworking skills for many projects, including several projects for First Baptist and GracePoint Church in New Brighton.
Paul enjoyed music and singing in church choirs. While at the University, he was in the Male Chorus for two years. He also led the Stanchfield Baptist Church choir for the first two years he was at the U of M, driving to Stanchfield every Wednesday evening for practice, then back on Sunday for services, while carrying a heavy load of engineering courses.
Paul Nebel died on September 6, 2018 at The GracePointe Crossing Gables at the age of 89 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Jerrold (Elsie) Nebel, Claribelle (Herbert) Carlson, Lucille Nebel, Carl (Nancy) Nebel, Harriet (Dean) Skjod and Frederick Nebel.
Paul is survived by his wife, Lola of Cambridge; daughters, LuAnn (Peter) Sidney and Carol Berglund; granddaughters, Rachel Berglund and Laura Berglund; sisters-in-law, Margaret Nebel and Gloria Lundeen; brother-in-law, Glen Nelson; nieces and nephews; along with many relatives and friends.