Paul Prince Alden's Obituary
Paul Alden, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the age of 89 in Orem, Utah. He died as he lived — surrounded by family, doing work he loved, engaged until the very last moment. He was known across industries and generations as a mentor, a father figure, and a man of uncommon patience and wisdom.
Paul was born on November 19, 1936, in New York City, the son of Albert and Clarisse Alden. He was raised in the city where he developed the work ethic and quiet determination that would define his life. At 24, a blind date introduced him to Sharon Reid, the woman who would become his wife, his partner, and the great love of his life. They married on March 12, 1960, and were sealed in the Los Angeles California Temple.
He had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a faith he embraced with wholehearted conviction and never wavered from. His love of God was matched only by his love for his family.
He built a career that spanned manufacturing, business management, and the early snowboarding industry, where he played a significant behind-the-scenes role in helping establish snowboarding as a legitimate competitive sport — work that contributed to its inclusion in the Olympic Winter Games in 1998. In his final years he served as General Manager of Soldier Mountain Ski Area in Fairfield, Idaho, a place he loved deeply.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Clarisse; and a son, Scott. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sharon; and children Mary (Jim) Moore, Carole (Doug) Andersen, David Alden, Rick Alden, and Clare Chadwick; 25 grandchildren and 37 adorable great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Friday, April 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the LDS meetinghouse, 135 East 2000 South in Orem, Utah. Funeral services will follow Saturday, April 18, with a viewing prior to services from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment is in the Alpine (Utah) City Cemetery.
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