Family Log-In

Click Here

KENNEBUNK, Paul Daniel Krippendorf, 81, of Kennebunk, died Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016 at Southern Maine Health Center in Biddeford following a period of declining heath.

Paul was born March 19, 1935 in Boston, the son of William P. and Beatrice C. Donahue Krippendorf, and he attended middle school and high school at Newman Prep School in Boston, MA. He want on and attended Northeastern University.

Paul Krippendorf worked for 44 years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Bates Lab for Nuclear Science. Paul helped build and operate an electron linear accelerator that provided beams of electrons for a wide range of scientific experiments. The projects were among the most important in the world in the areas of nuclear and particle physics. What is really out there? Of what is it all made? These were key questions he tried to find the answers to throughout his career. Paul was an Air Force veteran. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the town of Nahant, Massachusetts and Kennebunk, Maine for a total of 40 years. He enjoyed being an amateur ham radio operator (K1TQN) for 55 years. He was also very active in masonry, was a member of York Lodge # 22, AF & AM in Kennebunk, Royal Arch Masons, Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston, and Kora Renegades, one of the temple’s parade units. However, he always humbly said that his greatest “job” was being a parent.

He is survived by his daughter, Karen MacKenzie of Kennebunk, ME; son, William Krippendorf of Seabrook, NH; brother, Edward Krippendorf of Swampscott, MA; sister, Lois Day-Krippendorf of Kennebunk, ME; sister, SR. Angela (Clare) Krippendorf of Lewiston, ME; and two granddaughters, Kristin and Kaitlin MacKenzie, both of Kennebunk, ME.

All of us will experience loss during the course of our lives, but the death of a parent, a father, comes with an especially keen edge that makes a ragged cut. The knowledge of the inevitable end provided no armor against the wound of his loss. Paul was with his daughter and two granddaughters when he passed through heaven’s gates. We believe he was welcomed into heaven by his daughter, Kristin Krippendorf, whom preceded him. May we all find comfort and peace knowing Paul Krippendorf now resides in the arms of the angels.

Maybe Paul would now say to you, the reader of this obituary, “You and everything you see, including the distant stars, are all made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. We don't die; our atoms just rearrange themselves. We will meet again.”

Family and friends are invited to attend a Masonic Memorial service, held on Thursday, December 29 at 6:30pm, with visiting hours held from 5 to 8 PM at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk, ME.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kristin Krippendorf Memorial Fund, c/o Jim Corbett, 1 Summer St. Kennebunk, ME. 04043, or to your favorite charity.

To leave a message of condolence or share a memory, please visit Paul’s Book of Memories page at bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk, ME.