Paul Robert Bertsch, 55, died on September 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. He was the son of Robert and Carolyn (DiRuzzo) Bertsch, brother of Linda Bertsch and her partner, Patrick Segee, and Sharon (Bertsch) DePalma and her husband, William, uncle to Bryce, Olivia, and Mason DePalma, grandson of the late George and Madeline Bertsch and Joseph and Mary DiRuzzo.
Paul grew up in Greenville, Rhode Island and graduated from Smithfield High School where he played hockey and football. He was a member of the United States Army for two years and attended the Community College of Rhode Island while also playing hockey before transferring to the University of Rhode Island. Paul participated in the National Student Exchange Program, spending one year at the University of Wyoming before graduating from URI with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, Paul moved to Indiana and later moved to Houston, Texas, where he lived until his passing. Paul had an affinity for health and fitness and throughout his life he enjoyed hockey, weightlifting, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, biking, boxing, tennis, and golf. Paul also had a passion for learning and was an avid reader throughout his life. Besides leaving behind aunts, uncles, and cousins, Paul leaves behind an abundance of lifelong friends who will also miss him dearly. We will always remember Paul for his ability to capture a room, not only with his physical presence, but with his contagious smile and his ability to make everyone around him feel special. We will never forget you, Paul. May you rest in eternal peace.
Visiting hours will be on Saturday, October 5th, from 10:00am to 11:30am with a funeral service at 11:30am in the Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, 2 Church Street, Greenville, RI. Followed by a burial at Elm Grove Cemetery, 960 Tower Hill Road, North Kingstown, RI.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, c/o St. Philip Church, 625 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828.