Paul Adams Liesberg

Paul Adams Liesberg, 85, Retired Naval Chief Petty Officer, got underway to the Pearly Gates on June 1, 2022.  He leaves behind children Mitsuo (Dara), David, Michael (Lynne), Helen, and Dianna Liesberg; grandchildren Brian, Rachel, and Braeden; and an abundance of Ham Radio and electronics equipment.

Paul was born to Benjamin and Helen (Smith) Liesberg in Detroit, Michigan on September 6, 1936.  While still a young boy, along with his older brother Ben, the family moved to Hart, Michigan. This is where the family got their start in cherry farming.  Quite often he would share the tales of the hundreds of cherry trees he planted – that number growing with each telling of the tale.  Though we will never really know how many trees he planted, he certainly was no stranger to hard work.

Upon completing high school, he enlisted in the Navy. He would serve our country for the next twenty years aboard the USS Prairie, the USS Jason, the USS Constellation, and Recruit Training Center NTC Great Lakes.  He would eventually retire from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in 1974.  He would always look back on his Naval career with pride.  Working on shipboard steam-propulsion systems (boilers) could not have been a more fitting role for someone with a tinkerer’s heart.  He enjoyed working on projects around the house as well as repairing the family car.  He would finally get the car put back together and running, but there always seemed to be a few nuts and bolts left over.

Aside from the occasional tinkering, he enjoyed his amateur radio.  You could tell which house was ours by the numerous antennae mounted on the roof. Even the old Ford Escort parked in the driveway had his call sign WB6NFK on the license plate.  He’s probably in heaven now searching for radio repeaters as we speak.

As he grew older, his fascination with computers and new technology never diminished.  He always had the latest and greatest gadgets. If a new iPhone came out, it wasn’t long before he had one. Though he couldn’t quite figure out most of its features, it sure did make him happy to own it.  Inevitably, you would find his “Top-Secret” passwords taped directly to all of his devices.  Although we didn’t think this was a good idea at the time, it sure has helped to get all of his affairs in order now.

The only thing he loved as much as his Ham Radio and electronics were his detective shows and courtroom dramas.  As one of his children trying to get away with something, you’d be hard-pressed to wiggle your way past his detective skills.  Whenever we hear the opening theme to Perry Mason or Rockford Files, we will always think of him.

He married our mother Kiyoe in 1961.  As parents, they were the perfect blend of salty and sweet.  Mom always bestowed ample praise on us kids, making us feel like we were capable of anything.  Dad also had his ways of boosting our confidence which was usually coupled with lessons in self-reliance.  He was not always the most patient of teachers, but he always tried.  Sometimes he’d stay up all night reading our algebra books just to understand and work with us the next day. If you took too long to figure something out and were too timid to take a guess, you would hear him say “Do…something.”  These two words may be one of our greatest lessons.  There are times in life when you try and fail, learning from those mistakes. Then there are times when you try and succeed, but you don’t get anywhere by doing nothing.  Whatever you do, you give it your all.  Dad was not one to sugarcoat anything. He would give it to you straight, even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.  It has taken a lot of years to appreciate the value in that.  He definitely had his opinions on things, and whether you agreed with them or not, you always knew that you could count on him.  There was never a problem too big that didn’t wither away once you told dad.  He didn’t have all the answers, but he always found a way forward.

Thank you, Dad, for doing your best to provide for our family and always being there for us.  We will carry the fond memories of summer camping trips, taking the boat out fishing, and waking on Sunday mornings to the sounds of your organ playing. We will continue to live our lives but will miss you dearly.  We love you dad.  Rest in peace WB6NFK.

In lieu of flowers or charitable donations, we would ask that you just hold your loved ones a little bit closer tonight.  Our time together goes by so quickly and is more precious than we could ever imagine.

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