Paul Andrew Stiehl Jr.

Paul Andrew “Pop” Stiehl Jr went to join his beloved Ruthie in heaven on October 7th, 2024, after a short illness. Pop was born in Philadelphia, PA on May 16, 1932, to Paul Andrew Stiehl and Grace Piasecki Stiehl. He grew up in the Navy projects in South Philly. His father worked as a merchant seaman. Paul seniors’ proudest achievement was building the USS New Jersey (BB62) during World War II. Grace was a homemaker in charge of Paul and his siblings, Jean, Robert, and Richard. Pop was a terrific athlete at John Bartram High School. He played football, and was good enough to earn a football scholarship to the University of Alabama. He won the shot-put competition as a senior at the prestigious Penn Relays. After high school, Pop made a decision he would be proud of for the rest of his life, he joined the United States Air Force. The Air Force trained him to be a weather man and sent him to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. He was grateful to be stationed in the Pacific. During this time at Eniwetok the United States was testing the hydrogen bomb. He loved his time in the tropical Pacific although he was exposed to radiation. Pittsburgh was Pop’s next stop in the Air Force. After his honorable discharge from the USAF in 1956, he returned to Philadelphia. He got work at the Atlantic refinery and played semi pro football. Pop decided he preferred hot weather to cold. The new plan was to play football at the University of Miami. During the first week of school he met a tall striking brunette named Ruth Rasco, the daughter of the Dean of the Law School. The couple started dating and were soon married. Pop traded football for a job with the city of Miami. He went to school full time and worked full time. Before they knew it, they had two kids, Mark Russell, and Kristin Grace. One of the proudest days of Pop’s life was graduation day at the U of Miami. He then embarked on a career in corporate America. He started out as a salesman at Sun Oil Co aka Sunoco and ended up as a national marketing manager at the Ameron Corporation. Meanwhile he had a son John Andrew, who tragically passed away in 1963. Eric Paul came along in 1965 to complete the family. Pop’s job took the family to various cities across the country finally settling for good in Neptune Beach nearly fifty years ago. Pop loved living at the Beach.

 Pop continued his athletic prowess in his adult years as an amazing softball player and a skilled tennis player. He also was an accomplished angler and love spending time offshore in the Atlantic. After retirement he enjoyed singing in the choir at First Christian Church of the Beaches. He also sang in the musical group “Senior Moments Trio” at senior living facilities all over the northeast Florida area. Pop had a tremendous bass voice. He volunteered at Wolfson’s Children Hospital holding babies. As you can see everyone loved Pop from the elderly to the newest among us. Pop was loving, caring, passionate and a joy to be around. Paul Stiehl will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

 Waiting for him in heaven is his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Ruth, as well as his daughter, Kris, son John, sister Jean, brothers Robert and Richard, and his parents Paul and Grace. Pop is survived by his sons Mark Russell (Janie), and Eric Paul (Lois). He has eight grandchildren, Amanda, Byron, (Lindsey), Barbara (Nick), Tanner (Chrissie), Ashlin (Ben), Shelby Jewell, Rhett, and Wyatt. The rest of the family are his six great grandchildren, Hunter, Scarlett, Russell, Austin, Ace, and Henry with two more boys on the way!

 Visitation will he held on November 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 at Quinn Shalz in Jacksonville Beach. Pop’s celebration of life will be held at 11:00am November 4th at First Christian Church of the Beaches in Neptune Beach. 

Pop, like his wife Ruth, would love everyone to wear colorful clothing for his celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers Pop wanted everyone to take someone you love to breakfast. His personal favorites were the Grandpa’s at Ellen’s Kitchen and the catfish at Beach Diner.