Paul Krueger Kaestle

Paul Kruger Kaestle passed away August 30, 2026 leaving behind a profound legacy of professional excellence, artistic passion, and deep devotion to his family.

Born in Scotia, New York, to Regina and Frank Kaestle, Paul spent a colorful youth hunting for arrowheads in upstate New York while his father, a Georgia Tech engineer, served the WWII effort developing cutting-edge jet engine technology at GE. It was during these early years that Paul discovered the cello—igniting a lifelong musical passion. Over the decades, he became a pillar of his local music communities, notably performing with the Foothills Philharmonic in Tucson and dedicating many years of leadership to the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music as Vice President, Director of Fundraising, and a valued member of the Board of Directors.

A brilliant mind, Paul graduated from Yale University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. In 1960, he put his education to immediate use at a budding tech startup named Xerox, where he helped pioneer the revolutionary dry paper copying process that changed global business forever. Though he was accepted to Yale Law School during this time, Paul chose to prioritize providing for his growing young family—a testament to the selflessness that defined his life.

His corporate career flourished as he transitioned into management consulting. From 1965 to 1986, Paul rose through the ranks at Booz Allen & Hamilton, serving on the Board of Directors and managing critical operations worldwide, including tenures as Managing Director of Latin America based in São Paulo, Brazil, and as a Vice President and Officer across Paris, New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. At the conclusion of his career there, he was honored with a special commendation for his extraordinary service. Paul went on to co-found The Canaan Group, consult with the Sibson Group, and enjoy a highly regarded career as an independent consultant for prestigious entities like Callaway Golf and the World Food Programme. He also lent his sharp business acumen to the Board of Revere Copper for over 20 years.

For all his professional triumphs, Paul’s greatest joy was always his family. He married young to the love of his life, Mariane Madigan. Together, they built a life full of love, travel and adventure. Using Sao Paulo as a base of operations, the family traveled to all of the South American countries including a trip to the Galapagos Islands where Paul was able to further explore his lifelong passion for birding. In fact, Paul was a keen amateur ornithologist, traveling to seven continents to enjoy birdwatching and logging over 3,000 identified birds on his life-list. Later, using Paris as a home-base, the family traveled extensively throughout Europe. Paul’s private life endured life's highest peaks and its deepest valleys, including the tragic loss of their beloved daughter, Kathy, at age 43.

Paul was loved and lived a fulfilled life. He is reunited in peace with Kathy and Mariane; and his memory will be forever cherished by his children, Mike and Steve, and the legacy of his four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.