Chesterton businessman, Robert Allen Paulson, died Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at home after a sudden illness and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He was 57 years young.

Bob was born November 25, 1950 in Gary, the son of Robert Joseph (who preceded him in death) and Lucille Marion (Brier) Paulson, who survives.

On August 4, 1979 at St. Patrick Church in Chesterton, he married Janet K. Wheeler, who survives.

He is also survived by his two sons, Matthew and Zachary, both of Chesterton; a brother Peter (Dale) Paulson; nieces Julie and Katie, and a sister Mary Paulson, all of Chesterton; in-laws, Harold and Lucille Wheeler, of Snellville, Ga., brother-in-law Douglas (Lee) Wheeler, of Fairfax, Va.; nephews, Brian (Christin) of Atlanta, Ga. and Christopher Wheeler of Fairfax, Va.

He was a St. Patrick School 8th grade class of 1964 graduate, Chesterton High School Class of 1968 graduate, Purdue University Class of 1972 graduate and member of Delta Upsilon.

Bob was President and co-owner of Paulson Oil Company, which was founded by his father in 1951. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chesterton, a member of Olympia Fields Country Club, Wolf Run Golf Club and Valparaiso Country Club, and an active athletic supporter of the John Purdue Club. He was a friend of Bill W. for 22 years, offering friendship and support to many.

Bob had an ardent passion for Purdue football and basketball and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed traveling, taking up cruises with his wife, Jan, in recent years, and was a history aficionado. He thoroughly enjoyed the company of his two sons and their friends and always looked forward to hosting tailgate parties for Purdue home football games and going to Purdue’s Bowl games during the Joe Tiller era. He was a generous and compassionate friend, filled with conviction and certainty, and will be remembered by all who met him.

A Mass of Christian Burial, Rev. James Meade officiating, will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at St. Patrick Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3 until 8 p.m., Friday, May 9, at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Rosary will be recited by Fr. James Meade at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be sent to the Visiting Nurse Association of LaPorte County or St. Patrick Catholic School. www.EE-FH.com

Posted 5/7/2008