Paul Lewis Fern

Paul Fern, age 86, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2023, with his family nearby. He was born May 5, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Paul attended Temple University in Philadelphia where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in accounting and a Master's in Business Administration. He then served in the Air Force in San Antonio and remained in the reserves for seven years. Paul was an executive with Xerox Corporation in Rochester, New York, and later moved to Dallas, Texas, where he joined The Associates Corporation, retiring as a Senior Vice President. He took great pride in his work in the business world and was well-respected by his colleagues. Paul met the love of his life, Bara Robin, when they were in an executive training program in 1958. They were married in 1961 and would have celebrated their 62rd anniversary this June. In Rochester, Paul held many leadership positions at Temple Sinai, and later he and Bara were active members of their Havorah in Dallas. Paul loved attending the symphony and theater with Bara. He also enjoyed watching sports and rooting for his hometown Philadelphia teams. After retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels and with SCORE, a group of executives that provided business advice to young entrepreneurs. Paul and Bara moved to Austin in 2012 to be closer to their children and grandchildren and Paul loved spending time with his family. In Austin, Paul was a member of ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out), an arts-cinema group, and enjoyed doing "old man" yoga. Paul will be remembered for his kindness, warmth, and dignified manner. He instilled values of education and integrity, and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Paul is survived by his wife, Bara Robin-Fern, son Mark and wife Susan, son Keith and wife Juli Berwald, and grandchildren Benjamin, Isabelle, and Madeline, all of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his sister Sandy Chane of Los Angeles, California. Donations in Paul's name can be made to plant trees in Israel through the Jewish National Fund: https://shop.jnf.org/collections/plant-trees?_gl=1*hzky1r*_ga*NzAyMTUwMDg4LjE2Nzk1MDM0ODY.*_ga_CK2ZE2TTQR*MTY3OTUwMzQ4NS4xLjAuMTY3OTUwMzQ4NS42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.71347667.1961420564.1679503486-702150088.1679503486 A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Temple Beth Shalom, 7300 Hart Ln, Austin, TX 78731. Shivas will be observed at 6:30 on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Please call Temple Beth Shalom at 512-735-8900 for details.

Paul Lewis Fern

May 5, 1936 - March 21, 2023