Kiel, Paul
KIEL, Paul
Paul Newlin Kiel passed away on September 21, 2021. He was born on January 20, 1942 to Paul Bertram Kiel and Annette (Newlin) Kiel in Newport, KY.
Paul attended Highlands High School in Ft Thomas, KY where he competed on the track and basketball teams, and made life-long friendships with his classmates. He recently attended their 60th high school reunion.
Paul left for the University of Kentucky in 1960 and met his wife Susan (Downey) Kiel on the first day of an orientation event before school even began.
Susan and Paul married in 1963 and started a family. Susan began her career in education, teaching school and supporting Paul as he attended UK Law School. Their long tenure at UK provided Paul and Susan with many lasting friendships, which Paul in particular faithfully nurtured throughout his life.
After graduation, Paul clerked for a state circuit court judge, and in 1968 received an offer to join National Industries as corporate counsel in Louisville, where he stayed for 10 years.
When Atlanta's Fuqua Industries bought National in 1978, Paul accepted their offer and he and Susan moved with their two daughters to Dunwoody. Their son was born shortly thereafter. There, Paul built new friendships with his neighbors, through coaching his kids' softball and baseball teams, and by attending Holy Innocents Episcopal Church.He enjoyed a long stint with Fuqua, leaving in 1995 to serve as general counsel of the lawn mower company, Snapper, where he stayed until the company was sold in 2004.
Outside of work, Paul was a devoted husband and supportive father. His friends and family knew him to be pragmatic, loyal and reliable, but they also knew to watch out for his dry wit, and he was famous among them for his barbed quips. With his friends, he enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting. At home, Paul was happiest playing the piano for family sing-alongs at Christmas and was an able accompanist.
Paul is survived by his wife Susan, his daughters Martha Kiel, Nancy Kiel, his son Paul Benjamin Kiel, daughter-in-law Janet Lee, and grandson Paul Sebastian Lee Kiel, who all love him dearly.
A memorial will be held for Paul in Bowling Green, KY in November and one will follow in Atlanta in early 2022.
