Paul Morris Rosander

February 18, 1952 - February 1, 2014

Paul Morris Rosander was born February 18, 1952 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Paul William Rosander and Wanda Marchant. He passed away due to liver transplant rejection on February 1, 2014. Paul lived in the Liberty Park area until age twelve when his family of nine moved to the Holladay area. He was always close to his parents and siblings and proud of his heritage. Paul enjoyed a life of playing ball, hanging out with his brother Russ, riding in go-carts, taking drum lessons and driving a VW Carmegia. After graduating with the Olympus High School class of 1970 Paul served an honorable mission in Brussels Belgium for two years. In a previous marriage, Paul had two fine sons, Brian and Preston, whom he dearly loved and admired for their devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Brian expressed it best by describing Paul’s lifelong commitment to two institutions, the University of Utah and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Paul loved to share his testimony and said his favorite calling was serving as a stake missionary. In 1991, after a whirl-wind romance, Paul married his eternal companion, Diane, and helped raise her children, Steven, Anna and Laura. Paul spent the first twenty years of his professional life in sales—primarily selling cars and insurance. After his marriage to Diane, Paul returned to college to get his degree, earning a Bachelor's of Arts from Westminster College and a teaching certification from the State of Utah in 1996. While attending college Paul drove taxi for Ute Cab. He loved meeting people and had a gift for knowing the Salt Lake geography. Never needing a GPS, Paul could find the quickest route to any address. Changing careers late in life, Paul loved teaching Jr. High History and Geography in the Granite School District until his health prohibited his ability to work. In 2008 Paul had a liver transplant which changed his life. He was deeply grateful for this miraculous procedure. The transplant took a toll on Paul, limiting what he could do. Before his transplant Paul was a gregarious and fun-loving man. A spontaneous and outgoing disposition was his hallmark. Paul was adventuresome and famous for his bigger-than-life moods. After his transplant Paul’s temperament changed to a more reserved and introverted personality. His ill health morphed his natural tendency to live life on the edge. He spent the last seven years as a spectator in life, compared to his previous experience of being either in the game or coaching from the sidelines. Paul loved sports. He played high school baseball and basketball, as well as excelled in church sports. While teaching in the Granite School District he coached volleyball, basketball and track. Staying true to the Rosander tradition Paul’s allegiance to the Utes was evident in his ability to break out in the Ute fight song, at any time. Once while in the ICU at IMC Paul started singing “I am a Utah Man” so loud he could be heard all the way to the nurse’s station. Paul is survived by his wife Diane (Johnson), 5 of his siblings, Sharon McMullin, Becky (Clark) Nielsen, Russ (Kathi Brown), Diana Hamilton and John (Toni Houston). He will also be missed by his blended family members Brian (Tara Beckstead) Rosander, Preston (Alecia Harris) Rosander, Steven Gough, Anna (Rob) Woodruff, and Laura Gough. Paul and Diane shared 8 grandchildren together. Paul is being reunited in the next life with his sister Wendy and his beloved father Paul Sr. Paul never stopped grieving for his father who passed away just a few months ago. Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the LDS Chapel at 1433 East Old Mission Road, Sandy, Utah with a viewing prior to services and at the church Friday evening from 6:30 to 7:30. Interment at the Granite Cemetery