Sherwin Paul Malchick (known to everyone as "Paul"), patriarch of a large extended family, died February 26, 2022 at the age of 92 in the comfort of his home with his wife Lynn by his side.

Paul was born in 1929 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Bertha Levenson and Norman Malchick. His sister, Sandy, was born seven years later. Paul attended Central High School in St. Paul and graduated in 1946 at the age of 16. He attended college at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1949 at the age of 19. He completed graduate school at the University of Rochester in New York, and received his PhD in organic chemistry at the very young age of 22.

Paul met and married his first wife, Dorothy, in New York. After Paul received his PhD, they moved to Minnesota, where his first child, Barb, was born in 1952 on Paul's 23rd birthday. The young family moved to the Chicago suburbs so Paul could take a job at Standard Oil Company. His second and third children, Larry and Susan, were born in 1953 and 1955. Paul subsequently worked with Nalco Chemical Company in Chicago. Paul and Dorothy were part of a large circle of friends who together founded a Unitarian Church, were active in the Civil Rights movement, and engaged in many social activities with their families.

Paul moved to Holland, Michigan, in 1974 to take a job with Chemetron Corporation in the pigments division. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lynn, and they were married in 1980. Together, they raised Lynn's sons, Tom and Matthew. After Chemetron was bought out by BASF, the family moved to New Jersey where Paul became a Vice President with BASF.

After leaving BASF in 1990, Paul and Lynn and the boys moved back to Michigan, settling in the Grand Rapids area. For many years, Paul volunteered his experience and knowledge at SCORE to help small business professionals start businesses in Southeast Michigan. He also owned a small business, Benchmark Coaters, for several years. In addition, Paul worked with the Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program (RETAP) until well into his 80s, helping companies with their pollution prevention efforts.

Although his career was a major focus for Paul, especially in his younger years, he also loved his family deeply. He adored his wife Lynn. Paul's many cousins fondly remember him as their mentor, role model, and now as a legend, as he was the first person in their generation to go to college, have a career, get married, and have a family. Paul loved all of his children. He loved visits with his out-of-state grandchildren and was thrilled to meet two of his great-grandchildren. Even though he lived thousands of miles away from his sister Sandy, they maintained a close and loving relationship. He also had a close relationship with Lynn's sister, Mary, and her husband Kent. Paul also loved his furry family - he and Lynn rescued and cared for many greyhounds, and Paul took great joy in walking them several times a day as long as he was able.

Paul was a fun-loving guy. He and Lynn lived on a golf course, and they spent many afternoons playing golf together. Paul loved to dance. He had a great sense of humor, specializing in groan-inducing puns and other plays on words. He enjoyed cribbage and various puzzles - amazingly, he was able to do the Cryptoquote in his head. He loved numbers, and knew everyone's license plate and phone number. He probably would have appreciated the fact that he died on the palindrome date of 2/26/22.

In recent years, Paul suffered from a variety of physical ailments that slowed him down. He also fought hard against the increasing dementia that plagued him in the last few years. It was painful for his family to watch his brilliant mind succumb to a failing memory. Luckily, he was able to recognize and interact with his family right up until the end.

Paul's 90th birthday party was a wonderful opportunity for his family to celebrate him. He was surrounded by his numerous local family members, as well as extended family members from Alaska, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and Illinois. Paul's son Tom created a mural with photos from Paul's life as the centerpiece of the party. Paul amazed everyone by naming every person in the picture from his Bar Mitzvah, as well as every person in the picture of his high school basketball team.

Nine months after his 90th birthday celebration, Paul and Lynn moved into an apartment designed and built by son Tom as part of Tom and his wife Michelle's new home. In October of 2021, Paul began receiving Hospice services in the apartment. Lynn, with the help and support of Hospice, private caregiver Brianna, Mary & Kent, Matthew, and Tom & Michelle, provided amazing and compassionate care for Paul for four months. He died comfortable and happy in his home.

When his daughter Susan asked Paul the most important value he wanted to pass down, he answered, "Love."

Paul was predeceased by his parents, aunts and uncles, and several cousins.

Paul is survived by his wife of almost 42 years Lynn Lugers Malchick; daughter Barb Malchick (and husband Randy Jacobs) of Alaska; son Larry Malchick (and wife Cathy) of Illinois; daughter Susan Ullman (and husband Ted) of Colorado; son Tom Read (and wife Michelle) of Michigan; son Matthew Read of Michigan; sister Sandra Fine of California; sister-in-law Mary Jagnow (and husband Kent) of Michigan; granddaughter Michelle Bassett (and husband Mike) and great-grandchildren Mackenzie and Mason of Illinois; granddaughter Amanda Malchick of Florida; granddaughter Alyssa Pergolizzi (and husband Nick) of Illinois; granddaughter Stephanie Sheely (and husband Gene Cross) and great-grandaughter Estella of Colorado; grandson Kelsey Sheely (and wife Donitza Ivanovich) and great-grandchildren Alexander and Azalea of Colorado; grandson Walker Read of Michigan; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Paul is also survived by his godson, Manohar Arora of India.

At his request, no service will be held, but the family plans to get together in Michigan this summer for a celebratory barbecue.

If you wish to make a donation in Paul's memory, we suggest Spectrum Health Hospice of Grand Rapids or grey2kusa.org (a worldwide organization dedicated to ending the cruelty of dog racing and promoting the rescue and adoption of greyhounds across the globe).

Lynn and the family would like to give special thanks to Hospice, particularly Tim and Teresa, for their exceptional care. Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of Sherwin Malchick August 13, 1929 - February 26, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book