Be Kind, Be Curious, Seek the Joy
Paul Lowell Kavan passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 28, 2022 from unknown causes. Kindhearted, generous, happy, genuine, accepting of others, creative, fun, fearless, positive, and giving. Paul touched the lives of many with the ability to connect with everyone who encountered him.
Paul had tremendous experiences living in the moment. He never focused on the past or worried about his future. It is this freedom and fearlessness that allowed Paul to have a life rich with experiences.
Paul was born January 15th, 1983 in Maple Grove, Minnesota as the youngest, but favorite, of 5 children in the Kavan family. Growing up, Paul loved to climb trees in the backyard, ride bikes around the neighborhood and go sailing and canoeing on nearby Eagle Lake with his brother Steve. Paul attended Cedar Island Elementary, Maple Grove Jr. High and Osseo Senior High schools where he lettered in Cross-Country Running, Skiing and Track. While in Junior High and High School, Paul volunteered at a local hospital, discharging patients. He was also a personal care attendant for a child in need where they became fast friends. Through these experiences, Paul learned to be an advocate for those that needed a voice.
After High School, Paul went to college at the Universities of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Madison, majoring in Chemical Engineering and then switched his major to Computer Science at the University of Minnesota. While at Madison, Paul conducted impressive research on alternative materials for batteries. Also while in school, he started working with his brothers Matt and Steve and sister Mary Ellen on a renewable energy tech start-up company where Paul was a programmer. Paul’s fearlessness led him to take a summer job living in a tent, climbing and repairing wind turbines in Door County, Wisconsin. Paul also travelled and lived with his brother Matt in Antwerp, Belgium where they would play Chess in their spare time.
During college, Paul interned with IBM and his good friend Jake convinced him to move to California to work for Sun Microsystems. Shortly after Paul’s move to California, Matt moved to the San Francisco area, and Paul and Matt started a new tech company.
Beginning in his early 20’s, Paul would spend as much time as he could on Rainy Lake. He loved everything about the area – swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, going to the islands, and especially all the people he met. It is Paul’s love for the area and the welcoming community that drew him to convince Matt to move to Ranier, purchasing what became Loony’s. They immediately were overwhelmed with the welcoming neighbors and community of the area and with Matt, Paul created an inviting culture for everyone who entered Loony’s – a peaceful, happy “Cheers” bar – where everyone knows your name.
Paul liked to tell people his parents stopped with him after they reached perfection. In a lot of ways this was true and emphasized with the stories we have heard from others these past few days. He was by far the nicest person of all of us. He offered and insisted to give people the shirt or hat he was wearing. He never cared much for money. He didn’t get into judging or wanting to control what others should be doing or how they should live. Instead he was curious, he asked questions, explored their interest, and learned from them. He had a gift for reading people. He could keep your secrets without telling him not to tell anyone, or share or encourage you to sing a song or dance to make you feel better. His encouragement to get up on stage or dance made it easy to get out of your comfort zone and to try something new that maybe was fun. He quickly adjusted to playing with kids based on their needs. Paul would let them push him off a dock, splash water on them, chase them around Loony’s, or give them a kiddie cocktail with 47 cherries and a splash of sprite. He got down to their level, buried their feet, and danced. He loved to paint and being creative through painting. He encouraged others to take up the hobby. He also loved music, movies, bowling, playing pool, darts and sailing. Paul was a free spirit that lived in the moment and accomplished a lot tomorrow.
Paul loved Ranier and strived to bring the community together. He was passionate about Ranier Days, Ice Box Days, the Koochiching County Historical Museum, History on Tap, Trivia, Chess, programming and just about any idea that would promote community in Ranier and International Falls.
Paul is survived by his parents, Lloyd and Karen Kavan, his siblings Matt Kavan, Julie (Tom) Huske, Mary Ellen (Keith) Mattson, and Steve (Lauren) Kavan, and his nieces and nephews Audrey, Lydia, Bennett, Kate and Wade. Paul is preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Clarabelle Kavan and Edmund and Mary Beumer.
We want to thank the city of Ranier, community of Loony’s and all the friends and family who have come out to support Paul. It is your kindness that lives on in Paul’s spirit.
We will be celebrating Paul’s 39 years of life on Saturday, August 6th, 2022 at Loony’s in Ranier, Minnesota starting at 1:39pm, with visitation beginning at 12:28pm. Dress code is colorful. Please join us on Loony’s deck to share and celebrate his life, which will live on in spirit all around us.
Paul was passionate about the work he did with the Koochiching County Historical Society and Museum in International Falls and History on Tap. He dedicated much of his time to building and promoting community to support these efforts. His family asks that if you are so moved, a donation be made to the Museum in Paul’s honor.
In remembrance of Paul, be kind, be curious and seek the joy!
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
