Paul Wilhelm Voelkel

Paul Wilhelm Voelkel, 92, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2024, with his loving wife of 52 years by his side. Paul was born in Waldenburg, Germany on May 28, 1932. Through the war, he lost both of his parents and his homeland was taken over, dispersing his family of step-mother and five siblings. By the age of 13, he was forced to fend for himself by working on a farm. Always a man of deep faith, he later studied philosophy and theology at a seminary in Poland and became an ordained priest. He went on to get his PhD in psychology in Austria.

His work in psychology drew him to the US, where he started teaching at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology in Waukesha. He then moved to Racine, where he worked as a clinical psychologist, co-founding and working at Racine Psychological Services for over 40 years.

In 1972, he married Paula Amaro. Together they were active members of St. Patrick’s Church, where he proudly sang in the choir and assisted with Mass. Paul’s faith was an integral part of his life. Together with Paula, he led couples retreats at Siena Center and also became a practitioner and teacher of Centering Prayer. He was always a peaceful presence and a helpful soul. He was a dedicated volunteer at St. Monica’s Senior Living Home, helping out with daily Mass and serving on the Board for many years. We are so grateful for the loving care he received there in his final months.

Paul went for walks every day, rain or shine. He loved to take photographs and considered himself the designated photographer at any event. Always an early riser, sunrises and flowers were his favorite photographic subjects.

Paul will be dearly missed by his wife Paula, his daughter Claire Voelkel-Sedlmeir, son-in-law Georg Sedlmeir, and his three German and American grandchildren; Mateo, Johan & Alma of Neuching, Germany. Being able to speak to his grandchildren in German was a great source of pride for him. He will also be missed by his brothers Klaus Völkel, Erich Völkel, his many nieces and nephews in Germany as well as his extensive Portuguese family and American friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Marianne Richter, Konrad Völkel and Gisela Dünheuft.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, Siena Retreat Center or St. Monica’s Senior Living Home.

A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1100 Erie Street, Racine, Wisconsin on Friday December 6, 2024, at 3pm. Friends may meet with the family immediately after the service. Private interment will be held at Holy Family Cemetery.