LA’s BEST board member, hiker, pilot

David Lytle Paulson, 82, of Boise, Idaho, died unexpectedly from heart related complications on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, while visiting family and friends in Claremont.

Born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 7, 1937, David grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating from Washington High School in 1956.

Following four years of service in the US Air Force, he attended the University of Minnesota and then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in accounting. His career path led him to financial positions with Minneapolis-based Honeywell, Pillsbury and the Star Tribune.

In 1977, he was recruited by the Los Angeles Times for the position of controller and moved his family to South Pasadena, where he continued to work for the next 20 years, retiring as treasurer. In California he attended one of the first executive MBA programs offered by the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

A founding board member of the after-school enrichment program, LA’s BEST, he served as board chairman, CFO and on various board committees throughout his 28 years with the organization. He devoted many years to found, sustain and grow the program, because he truly cared about children, his family shared. He had a large collection of LA’s BEST neckties that he wore proudly. He delighted in his volunteer work and always enjoyed attending the children’s events and performances.

His passions led him to running the LA Marathon, hiking Mt. Whitney, a river rafting trip in Hells Canyon, Idaho, and earning his private pilot license. He enjoyed visiting art galleries, museums, concerts, the theater and movies. He was a member of the El Korah Shrine in Boise.

 After living in South Pasadena for 30 years and Claremont for 10, Mr. and Mrs. Paulson in retirement moved to Boise to be closer to their son and his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marlow H. Paulson and Mildred Paulson Robinson, and his brother Marlow H. Paulson, Jr.

He is survived by his wife (and high school sweetheart) of 60 years, Lynn; daughter, Marsha Wipperman of Claremont; son, John (Elizabeth) of Boise, Idaho; and grandsons Wyatt Wipperman and Matthew Paulson.

Memorial services were held in Pasadena on December 29.

Donations in Mr. Paulson’s name may be made to LA’s BEST at lasbest.org/donate; the Assistance League of Pasadena at assistanceleague.org/pasadena/donate; or City of Hope at cityofhope.org/giving.