Paul Reyelts Obituary Paul Courtney Reyelts, known for his business success and transformational philanthropy, died on May 26 in Minneapolis from complications following surgery. He was 77 years old. A civic leader, he gave of his time and treasure to organizations that aligned with his passion for music, architecture, and design. Paul was a man of vision, fortitude and determination. Paul is perhaps most known for championing and transforming public spaces along the downtown Minneapolis riverfront, including Gold Medal and Water Works Parks, which drew unprecedented numbers of visitors to the area. In 2016 Paul and friend Mark Wilson founded Friends of the Falls to redevelop the Upper St. Anthony Falls site. What began as a project to restore the natural landscape and create better riverfront access evolved into an initiative to understand and honor the Dakota peoples spiritual and cultural connection to the land. His humble and quiet leadership allowed him to see clearly the natural evolution of the riverfront restoration project. Named Owmniyomni Okhdayapi, the initiative transitioned to Dakota leadership and a Native American-majority Board of Directors. Paul embraced his role as a non-Native board member by listening, learning and supporting Native leadership in reshaping the narrative of the riverfronts history and amplifying Dakota voices. Paul considered this commitment as the most inspiring and gratifying professional experience of his life. Born Sept. 5, 1946, Paul grew up near his familys farm in Britton, SD, seeding his connection to the natural world and a fascination with building and design. He was an honor student, athlete and musician and played piano relentlessly for the rest of his life. He studied architecture at Harvard where he liked to say he arrived in 1964 with the shortest hair and skinniest ties. He spent all his time in the library trying to keep up and managed to graduate with honors. After graduating in 1968, he joined the Navy serving as an intelligence officer and navigator. Those experiences in teamwork and diligence led to Pauls love of sailing as he enjoyed adventures in the Caribbean and Pacific with friends. Paul continued graduate studies in architecture before deciding he could never make a living as an architect. He chose to pursue an MBA at Harvard. A brief stint with Piper Jaffray proved fateful when he met Mary Pearce, his wife of 45 years. In Minneapolis, Paul felt fortunate to be recruited by someone he deeply admired, Angus Wurtele, CEO of Valspar, where Paul served as Chief Financial Officer for more than two decades. "During his tenure, Valspar grew more than tenfold and he was instrumental in every aspect of Valspars domestic and international expansion," said Rolf Engh, Valspars former Executive V.P. and General Counsel. "As a key and long-serving member of senior management, Pauls wisdom, judgement and sage advice benefitted Valspar immensely. He was a beloved figure in the office and was dearly missed long after his retirement." Following retirement from Valspar, Paul was drawn again to Harvard for an intensive architecture and design program that fueled his next exciting chapter. Beyond his visionary commitment to park and riverfront design, his generosity extended to a number of other community organizations: as a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Minnesota College of Design and on the Boards of Directors of The Minneapolis Foundation, MacPhail Center for Music, Minnesota Public Radio, Gold Medal Park Conservancy and as a director of Schafer Richardson Development. Paul adored his family. He loved his two children fiercely and spoiled his wife, Mary. He doted on his young grandchildren who brought him joy the past two years. Paul is preceded in death by parents Melvin and Geneva Reyelts, brother Jon Reyelts and daughter Grace Reyelts. He is survived by wife Mary, son William and wife Madeline, along with grandsons Wyatt and Lyle, and his brother Lynn and wife Marilyn and a great big extended family. A memorial service will be held at MacPhail Center for Music on June 25 at 4:30 pm. Paul would remind us that we are on native land and he would quickly recommend six books on the subject. Services Memorial Service Tuesday June 25, 2024 4:30 PM MacPhail Center for Music 501 South Second Street Minneapolis, MN 55401