Paul Rossmeissl was born in Appleton, Wis., the youngest of three children. He grew up in Green Bay and earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in experimental psychology. An avid reader who had a multitude of eclectic hobbies and diverse interests, Paul was known and admired for his gifts of love and caring. He lived each day to its fullest with humor and joy. Paul was 54 when he died on June 7, 2006, from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. As a result of this tragedy, he gave the gift of life to three individuals and improved many others through tissue donation.

Paul's Story

Paul was 54 when he died on June 7, 2006, from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident on the Washington and Old Dominion trail, a favorite biking route. As a result of this tragedy, he gave the gift of life to three individuals who received his liver and both of his kidneys. Other individuals benefited from the donation of his heart valves, bone and tissue.

Paul Rossmeissl was born in Appleton, Wis., the youngest of three children. He grew up in Green Bay, and was a devoted fan of the Green Bay Packers, enduring many a home game in freezing conditions at Lambeau Field. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in experimental psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He was an avid reader who had a multitude of eclectic hobbies and diverse interests. He was a devoted student of history, especially military history, and Virginia afforded myriad opportunities to pursue his keen interest in the Civil War. His library held many volumes on the Civil War, as well as works on the Titanic, the Spanish Armada, the Alamo, World War II, and Elizabethan England. He was an award-winning builder of model ships from many eras of maritime history. His enthusiasm for bike riding added up to some 2,000 miles pedaled each year. He was also an avid auto racing enthusiast, frequenting many NASCAR events, cheering especially for fellow Wisconsin native Matt Kenseth.

Paul had a strong and abiding faith in Christ Jesus that was evident and inspiring in his daily life. Paul was known and admired for his gifts of love and caring as husband to Hedy and father to Rachael. He had that rare capacity to live each day to its fullest with humor and joy. Paul had an indomitable spark of friendship and fellowship that was irresistible to anyone who met him. His family and friends miss him greatly.

To honor Paul's enthusiasm for life, celebrate his love of cycling, and raise awareness for organ and tissue donation, Paul's family and friends initiated Paul's Ride for Life. Over the last three years, Paul's Ride has attracted more than 600 bicycle riders, from families, to serious cyclists who ride from 10 to 50 miles.