Obituary Peter Helmuth Paulsen – Phoenix, AZ (1934-2024)

Peter Helmuth Paulsen, Builder, Developer, Philanthropist, Dies at 90Peter Helmuth Paulsen was born in the village of Schardeb ll, in northern Germany, on June 17, 1934. Peter immigrated to the Midwest with his mother and brother in 1952, following the hardships and turmoil of World War II. By the age of 17, Peter was already a master mason. With his keen business acumen and excellent construction skills, he soon aspired to start his own business, building beautiful brick homes and apartment complexes in Moline Illinois. In the mid-1960s, Peter and his family moved to Northern California, where he continued to build homes and commercial complexes and owned Pacific Commerce Bank in Sacramento. He also became a very successful investor. One of Peter’s proudest accomplishments was the Paulsen Office Park, a high-quality 7-acre development at 4100 Moorpark Ave., San Jose. In the Pacific Northwest community of Bellingham, Washington, Peter built more business complexes and a European-style waterfront hotel called the Hotel Bellwether. Peter always contributed to his communities throughout his life and through his “Peter and Diana Paulsen Foundation,” he and his wife Diana continued to donate to charities and hospitals to improve the lives of others. Over the years, Peter enjoyed sailing on his beautiful yachts, dancing, and traveling the world with friends and family. Peter is survived by his lovely wife Diana and five children. A celebration of life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 3901 E Indian School Road, Phx, AZ, on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception and food to follow. Call Susan at 530-570-6300 for more information. Peter will be greatly missed by all, and now in heaven he is dancing with the angels.