Paul A. Schempp

Paul A. Schempp passed away on May 31, 2026 at the age of 92. He was born on March 7, 1934 in Syracuse, NY, as the second son of Hildegarde and Reinhold Schempp.

He has resided in Syracuse during married life but grew up on Bonstead Rd. in Clay, NY. Paul, very proudly, graduated from one of the last one room schools in the county, on the corner of Bonstead and Horseshoe Island Rd. in Clay (one teacher taught eight grades). He then went on to Phoenix High school graduating in 1951 in a class of only 34. He played football, basketball, and baseball while there and was captain of the football and basketball teams his senior year.

He went on to Cornell University graduating in 1955 and also from their Air Force ROTC program. ln addition during time at Cornell he rowed on the varsity light-weight crew his last two years.

He entered Air Force pilot training in January 1956 and won his wings in February 1957. He got off active duty at the end of 1958, joined Crucible Materials Corp. and continued.to fly in the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard for a total of 31 years of military service.

Militarily he ended up flying ten different aircraft and had 4000 hours of flight time. His high time aircraft were the F-86H and the A-10. The majority of his military time was in the 174th Fighter Wing at Hancock Field. Besides flying he held increasing leadership positions and was chosen to be the Wing Commander in 1977. He held that position until the end of 1986 when he then, as a Brigadier General, had to retire with 31 years of total service. Upon retirement he was promoted to Major General in the New York Air National Guard.

During his 42 years at Crucible Materials Corp., he held a number of operational and staff jobs at the superintendent level. Additionally, top management, at the time, encouraged their senior employees to support the community. He was on the boards of the Red Cross, Solvay Geddes Youth Center, lnterlake District of the Boy Scouts and ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve) for a number of years. He served as chair for each of those organizations during his time on their boards. He also was a consistent blood donor during his career and ended up giving 15 gallons (120 times) and is a registered organ donor after death.

Paul and his wife Sonia were devoted to their family and enjoyed days at their Bonstead Road country home on the Oneida River swimming, boating, and helping their children and grandchildren grow into responsible young adults. They both were very proud of each of them as they developed into exceptional, capable individuals.

He and his wife were also devoted animal lovers, both domestic and wild. They always had two cats as family members with the last being Alexis and Polly, For the wildlife, they had water and feed year-round. Their yard had plenty of trees for cover and they enjoyed watching the birds and animals they were helping through their various stages of life in our changing seasons.

He was predeceased in death by his wife of 62 years, Sonia (Hischansky) Schempp, his parents and his brother Reinhold.

Paul is survived by his two daughters, Kathy Wenner (Gary) of Liverpool NY and Sylvia Heppler Bates (Bill) of Clay, NY, four grandchildren, Chelsea and Gregg Wenner, Stephanie and Joey Heppler, and one great-granddaughter, Grace.

At Paul’s request he will be cremated and buried with his wife. A private family graveside service will be held at Pine Plains Cemetery in Clay, NY.

If anyone desires, on his behalf, Paul requested donations be given to an animal rescue center or a community organization of your choice.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home on-line guestbook for Paul to express your condolences to his family.