D. Paul Kriese, age 77, passed away on Saturday morning (March 6, 2021) at Friends Fellowship Community in Richmond, Indiana. Paul was born in Buffalo, New York on August 15, 1943 to Richard and Florence Kriese but has lived and worked in Richmond for the past four decades.
Education was always a high priority in Paul’s life, achieving a baccalaureate, three master’s and a PhD. He spent his professional career as a professor of political science at Indiana University East and devoted his life to equality, diversity, democracy, and social justice. Paul became involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s and carried his concerns for racial justice for the rest of his life. He published articles and books in the United States and abroad on race, gender, and democracy and served as co-editor with Harold D. Weaver, Jr., and Stephen Angell on the book, Black Fire: African American Quakers on Spirituality and Human Rights (Quaker Press of FGC), an anthology of the writings of Black Quakers over three centuries regarding racial justice—both within the Religious Society of Friends and in society at large–and their lives in the Spirit.
Paul was a member of Clear Creek Friends Meeting, played an active role in Quaker organizations locally, regionally, and nationally. He believed passionately in the importance of civic engagement and worked with the Friends Committee on National Legislation and the Indiana Friends Committee on Legislation to translate principles of peacemaking and justice into laws and budgets. In his teaching as well as his activism, he worked to include people who had often traditionally felt excluded from the political process.
Paul grew up participating in Jewish worship and continued that relationship as a member of the Richmond Jewish Congregation. Paul actively attended Beth Boruk Temple where he participated in educational, religious, cultural, social, and recreational activities in support of Jewish community and tradition.
Paul is survived by a brother (Richard “Dicky”) and three nieces, Kathleen Kriese-Banieu, Tammy O’Grady, and Kelly McElligott.
Never wanting to call attention to himself, Paul did not want a memorial service. In lieu of a service, family and friends are invited to share their memories of Paul on his tribute page at www.iue.edu/tribute.
Paul was devoted to education and the flourishing of the human spirit. In that vein, we are asking that instead of flowers, donations be sent in his name to any of the following:
Richmond Jewish Congregation
2810 SE Parkway
Richmond, IN 47374
FCNL Education Fund | Friends Committee On National Legislation
https://act.fcnl.org/donate/fcnl-donation
Paul Kriese Scholarship for Service Engagement
Indiana University Foundation
c/o Indiana University East
2325 Chester Blvd.
Richmond, Indiana 47374
www.iue.edu/give