Paul Weiss

Paul Weiss of Livermore died Nov. 7. He was 76.

Born March 14, 1938, in New York City to Joseph and Eva Weiss, he was raised in New York and later in Miami, Florida. At 16, he received a scholarship to attend the University of Chicago where he completed his undergraduate degree. He received a Ph.D. from Florida State University in 1962 for his work on the elastic scattering of alpha particles from Silicon-28. As a nuclear physicist, Weiss worked at both the Lawrence Livermore and the Los Alamos National Laboratories.

In Livermore, he was highly respected as an early leader of Congregation Beth Emek, and was responsible for the consecration of the first Jewish burial ground in the Tri-Valley. An original member and president of Interfaith Housing, he personally secured the funding to build Hillcrest Gardens, the nation’s first housing project for low-income seniors. After building two additional projects, the organization recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and recognized Weiss for his contribution to the community.

In Los Alamos, he was an active pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, flying search and rescue missions in the mountainous terrain. He also became a community activist, a leading member of the local Jewish congregation, as well as a participant in the theatrical productions. When his project at LASL’s [RW1] ended, he left Los Alamos’s high elevation and returned to Florida, where he worked on optical instruments at United Technologies for several years before becoming a science teacher in local high schools, and an astronomy professor at a community college. His students were always energized by his enthusiasm, and by his special curriculum additions, including leaving the classroom to watch lift-offs at Cape Canaveral.

Returning to Livermore, he was happy to be working once again at LLNL with many of his former colleagues, and made many contributions to new programs such as the National Ignition Facility. He also joined the Livermore Valley Opera Chorus, appearing in such productions as “Carmen,” and enjoyed singing in the Beth Emek Choir. His community volunteer work included hosting the Beth Emek seniors, helping at food drives and becoming an activist in local politics. Many remember his front-page photo standing at the Totem Pole Park with sheep spray-painted “Ewe bet we don’t want Pardee’s new development.”

An active member of the Mac Users’ Club, the Livermore Airport Commission and the HAM Radio Club, he volunteered for HAM radio relays at the Livermore Rodeo and the bicycle races on Mt. Hamilton and Mt. Diablo, reporting accidents where phone contact was difficult.

Weiss is survived by his daughter, Tamra Walthall of Waco, Texas;  sons, Ben Weiss of Clear Lake, California, Eli Weiss of Henderson, Kentucky and Kevin DeMarco of Davis, California; grandchildren, Telly Walthall, Rydell Walthall and Carson Weiss and pets, Missy, Charlie, Harley and Maxine.

Weiss will always be remembered as someone who put his total commitment into every project, volunteered to help anyone in need, roast a turkey for the hungry and work for the betterment of his community.

Memorial services were held at Congregation Beth Emek. Burial took place at Roselawn Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Congregation Beth Emek in Livermore and to the Livermore Public Library.