Richard "Paul" Joyce

93, formerly of Highland, IN, and more recently of St. John, IN, passed away, with family members by his side, on December 30, 2017 at St. Anthony's Hospital. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 65 years, Betty Lou Joyce, and his oldest son John (Pamela) Joyce. He was also the loving father to his children, Joseph (Kathie) Joyce, of Hammond, IN, Margaret "Peggy" (David) Ahlemeyer of Tucson, AZ, and Paul (Donna) Joyce of Dayton, OH; the cherished grandfather to Lindsey Joyce Chamberlain, John Joyce, Bradley Ahlemeyer, Megan Ahlemeyer, Jamie Ahlemeyer Feldman, Paul Ryan Joyce, Joseph Joyce and Tera Joyce; doting great grandfather to Madeline and Lucy Chamberlain, Edward, Jordan and David Ahlemeyer, Zoey Feldman,  and Juneau Joyce; dearest brother to six siblings, surviving brother Robert J. Joyce and the deceased Edward L. Joyce, Joseph G. Joyce, Patrick M.Joyce, Margaret Joyce Norton and Bridget Joyce Kalich;uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Paul was born in Gallitzin, PA, in 1924 to the late Edward L. Joyce and Margaret McGowan Joyce. Upon high school graduation from Conemaugh Township High School near Johnstown, PA, he was offered a try-out with the LA Dodgers but was unable to take advantage of the opportunity due to the onset of WWII. He served in the European Theater of Operations with the 8th Air Force, 384th Bomb Group, as a radio operator and gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. After the war, Paul graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He worked at Zenith Radio at the beginning of his professional career and then for the IIT Research Institute for 45 years. He was Senior Research Engineer at the time of his retirement.

Paul was an avid tennis player well into his senior years, a dedicated rose gardener, a consummate list maker, and an Everyman's David to Goliath. He once challenged a  speeding ticket in court, offering a detailed technological analysis of the radar gun's margin of error. Paul never met with a medical professional, tradesman or salesperson without prior research, pertinent questions and an opinion.

Admired by many for his variety of  accomplishments, Paul will possibly be best remembered (and adored by his grandchildren) as the mastermind behind the Bubble Gum Tree, an enchanted hybrid whose only known existence in the state of Indiana was in his back yard on Strong Street.

He will be forever loved and dearly missed.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home , 14 Kennedy Ave. (corner of Kennedy Ave. and Main St.), Schererville, IN 46375 from 2:00 PM until 7:00PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM Directly at St. Mary Catholic Church, 321 E. Joliet St., Crown Point, IN 46307with Rev. Patrick J. Kalich officiating. Paul will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family askes that donations be make to the SHARE Foundation, sharefoundation.org

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