Born: August 3, 1940
Died: March 5, 2015

Paul Godburn was born in Meriden, Connecticut and educated at Meriden High School. He was the son of Robert Allen and Mathilda Wilhelmene Voelske Godburn.

At Yale Paul was in Saybrook, a member of Pi Sigma Alpha (Treasurer 1961-1962), the Political Union and the Young Republicans. He was a Political Science Honors major, ranking scholar and on Dean’s List.

Paul in our Class Book predicted his future occupation as law. However, he chose a life as a minister of the Gospel.

He earned his Master of Divinity Degree at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center, MA, and performed post graduate work toward a doctorate at Drew University in New Jersey.

He was ordained a Deacon in 1967 and became a Probationary Member of the New York Conference. Three years later he received Elder’s Orders and became a Full Member of the conference. His pastoral record includes service to the following congregations: West Granby & Copper Hill, CT (1968), Highland & Lloyd, NY (1971), Uniondale, LI, NY (1980), Branford, CT (1983), Winsted, CT (1987), Bayside, NY (1992) and an interim appointment to St. Andrew’s in New Haven (2011). The Clergy Session of the 2012 Annual Conference approved his request to enter the retired relationship. He continued to reside in New Haven.

He brought to his ministry not only a deep faith in and commitment to the Gospel, but a desire to help people. His greatest delight was delivering sermons on Sundays. He maintained a lively interest in current events, history (especially the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln), opera, classical music, model trains, and Hitchcock furniture.

Paul was survived by his wife, Elna Chandler Engelke of New Haven, and three children: Walter (Carol) in Colorado; Jill (James); Holly (Neil) in Branford, CT as well as grandchildren. His sister, Roberta Gudrian, predeceased him.

Unfortunately, news of Paul’s death in March 2015 after a long illness did not reach Yale and our class until 4 years had elapsed. Due to this long delay, your scribe was unable to reach any of Paul’s family to learn more of this life’s activities.

Information from any of Paul’s friends is welcomed.

Robert G. Oliver