Rev. W Paul Brinkman

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16

The Rev. W. Paul Brinkman left us to be with our Lord in the early hours of March 2, 2025, following a day surrounded by his entire immediate family, several extended family members and fellow clergy.

He will always be remembered for his dedication to his family and passionate commitment to the churches he served, as well as the schools, foundations and social services organizations which were a part of his development work. Paul never resisted the challenges of ministering to anyone he believed he could help, from his church parishioners to those living in remote areas of Canada and Alaska. His unwavering faith was the driving force behind his passion for social justice and his efforts to welcome all people into Christ’s church. His family, and all those who knew him, will greatly miss his love, kindness and generosity.

Paul was born on March 28, 1946, to Fred and Florence (Esch) Brinkman and grew up with six siblings on the family dairy farm in Oak Creek, WI. He attended High School in Watertown, WI.  Paul met Barbara, the love of his life and his wife of 59 years, in 1964 and they married in 1966. While raising three sons together, they lived in seven different states and enjoyed renovating the various homes they purchased along the way, including a home they loved on a beautiful lake in Mt. Morris, WI.

Paul attended Concordia College and the University of Arizona, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree, before earning a Master of Divinity Degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1978. He spent the early part of his ministry in Eden Prairie, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, before being called to the specialized ministry of the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP). During his time with LAMP, he developed their initial U.S. campaign, which helped open their first base of operation in Alaska. In 1987, Paul earned his Private Pilot certificate.  He went on to develop major fund raising campaigns for the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, The Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, Grand View College, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. In 2003, Paul returned to congregational care, serving Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, WI, but his time there was shortened by health issues. Following his recovery, he rejoined Lutheran Social Services, this time in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Once again, his love for parish ministry eventually led him to interim work with the congregations of Mt. Morris-Holden Lutheran Church.  Paul retired in 2019, after serving the congregation at First Lutheran Church in Poy Sippi, WI.

Paul was very loving, caring, honest, compassionate, supportive and accepting. He was a talented preacher, delivering meaningful sermons to illustrate and inspire God’s work in our daily lives. His beautiful prayers graciously thanked God for our many blessings, while humbly lifting up the cares and concerns of his family and community, as well as all those suffering around the world.

Paul’s dedication to his work never overshadowed his love for and attention to his family. For nearly six decades, he and Barbara continuously demonstrated their love and commitment to one another through all the joys and challenges of life. From family meals to family vacations, or just having a catch with his sons in the back yard, taking time for activities together was a priority. Paul was a great story-teller, eager to share his many experiences and memories, and never missing an opportunity to tell a few jokes along the way. He loved the many beauties of nature and enjoyed nurturing plants and tending to a vegetable garden every summer. Throughout his life, he acquired many different skills, which he enjoyed sharing with his family while working on projects together. The many activities and antics of his grandchildren brought tremendous joy and pride. He loved to watch each one of them play, sing or dance, and imagine what the future would hold for them.

In recent years, one of Paul’s favorite words had been apricity, an archaic word meant to describe the feeling of warmth from the sun on a cold day. He very much enjoyed reading in the sunshine of the living room window, accompanied by their two cats, Oreo and Cookie. The memories of Paul will remain with us, warming our hearts, much like the apricity he so enjoyed. We thank God for sharing his willing servant, Paul, with us.

Paul was preceded in death by his mother and father; step-mother Elizabeth (Appel); and brothers F. Peter, C. John, and A. James. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara; their sons W. Judd (Michelle), W. Alex (Sarah) and W. Luke (Rachael); grandchildren Jules, Ryett, Ellie, Bowen and Katie, sister Joanne; brothers Tony and Joe (Amy); sisters-in-law Patricia, Joanne, Janice, Amy and Bev; brother-in-law Ron; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Paul’s life is planned at 11:00AM on July 12, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10:00, at Mt. Morris-Holden Lutheran Church, N3388 Hwy 152, Wautoma, WI. A luncheon will follow.

In honor of Paul’s life, please consider making a charitable gift to the American Civil Liberties Union, Feeding America or other similar organizations.