Paul Reiff

Paul Reiff, age 75, of Portage, Michigan and The Villages, Florida passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2024 with his wife Kim by his side, after a long battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Paul was born on December 18, 1948, on North Brother Island in New York City. He was the second born and only boy of four children. As a young boy, Paul’s family moved from New York and settled in the metro area of Detroit, Michigan. He always loved going back to New York to spend the summer at his favorite Grandpa David’s house in Brooklyn.

From a young age, Paul was a mischievous boy and knew all the right ways to test his parents’ patience, and his sisters’ too.

Paul was a typical boy. He enjoyed being outside with the family dog, building things and playing sports. His favorites were basketball, baseball, and tennis.

Paul graduated from Elgin Academy High School in Chicago. He later earned a Bachelors Degree in Education from Michigan State University, and then went on to get his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning.

During college summer breaks, Paul worked for the Ford Motor Company. After two summers at Ford, he saved enough money to purchase a Red Triumph motorcycle and ride throughout Europe for three months. This trip was one of the most memorable experiences of his life. This led to a life-long love for motorcycles and travel.

After college, he worked as a fourth and fifth grade teacher at East Lansing Glencairn Elementary School, where he was the only male teacher at the time. He later changed careers and began working in banking and financial services. Paul made his way up the ranks of several banks in the Midwest as a financial consultant for large corporations. He loved all things financial and was a very skilled investor.

In the late 70s, Paul married his first wife, Karen. Together they welcomed two children: Lauren and Dan. During his early 50s, he met his second wife, Kim. The two were first introduced by a mutual work colleague and married several years later. With Paul’s marriage to Kim, he gained four stepchildren: John, Eric, Michael, and Michelle.

After Paul retired, Kim’s job took them to Princeton, New Jersey for two years and then to Washington, D.C. for five years. While living in Princeton, Paul spent his days hanging out at Starbucks and Princeton University where he often fancied himself as a Princeton University Scholar. On the weekends, he and Kim enjoyed many train trips into New York City to take in all the fabulous restaurants and entertainment. In Washington D.C., Paul continued his daily rituals at Starbucks and spent most days in the district fancying himself as a historian and year-round tourist.

After Kim retired in 2015, they relocated back to Michigan for the summers and acquired a second home in Florida where they spent their winters.

Over the years, Paul and Kim welcomed five grandchildren, three grandsons and two granddaughters: Ryan, Ella, Aleah, Liam, and Miles. They also shared two Springer Spaniels: Molly and Brody.

During their years together, they enjoyed traveling to many countries, playing golf, visiting their children and grandchildren, and dining with many friends. And of course, Paul continued his daily Starbucks ritual wherever he went which also included reading the Wall Street Journal cover to cover.

Throughout his life, Paul shared a passion for Motorcycles, BMWs, Travel, Golf, Michigan State basketball/football, Apple product releases, Buddy’s Pizza, Kim’s cooking and, of course, his family and lifelong friends.

Paul was a loving teacher and mentor to both family and friends. Many described him as intelligent and highly successful, yet unassuming with a wise and calming presence. He will be missed by all.

Paul is survived by his wife, Kim; children: Lauren (Tom) Drennen and Dan (Marissa) Reiff; stepchildren: John II (Katie) Montoya and Michelle (Aaron VandeVen) Montoya; grandchildren: Ryan, Ella, Aleah, Liam, and Miles. He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Weinstein; nephews, Sam and Alex Weinstein; and stepsons, Michael and Eric Montoya.

A Life Story Service will be held Saturday, October 5 at 10 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Celebrate Paul’s life online by sharing stories and photos on his personal webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. A live stream link will also be available on his webpage.