Paul Boel passed away on January 17, 2021. He was 98. He had a tremendous passion for water skiing and a great influence on Michigan water skiing.
Below is from the writeup for his 2016 Award of Distinction from the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation:
Involved in water skiing since 1956, Paul Boel was a pioneer in our sport. As one of the original organizers of the Michigan Water Ski Association, Paul developed the private Tivoli Gardens Lake site in the early 1960s and has been hosting major water ski events there for more than 50 years. Besides local, collegiate, state and professional tournaments, Paul hosted the 1976 Midwest Regionals and the 1978 Nationals, which saw more than 28,000 spectators. It was the largest number of spectators to ever attend a National Championship. Paul was the Men 6 National jumping champion in 1991 and Men 10 National jumping champion in 2006. He also was the first Senior Men competitor to jump 100 feet. Paul was inducted into the Michigan Water Ski Association’s Hall of Fame in 1987 and was an active long-time financial supporter and board of trustee for the USA Water Ski Foundation.
Paul’s obituary appears below:
Paul Erik Boel of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on
January 17th 2021 at his home – Cordia Grand Traverse.
Paul was born on a farm on the island of Fyn Denmark May 12th 1922.
Paul was youngest of 6 children born to Marius and Else Boel. Born into
a cheese-making family. (his dad Marius Boel invented Blue Cheese)
Paul decided to move to America around 1952 and try his luck at cheese
importing from Europe to North America for which he did successfully
until he sold his business in the mid 1980’s.
On the ships journey to America Paul met and fell in love with a young
lady (Litzi) Caecilia Alice Miesgang (preceded him in death) Litzi- was
from the small village of Strobl Austria. They married and had two
daughters Heidi (Perry Pentiuk) and Christa Boel.
Paul had four grandchildren; Anna (Billy White) Stefani (Trevan
Thompson) Misha and Tatyana Adler. Along with two great
grandchildren Silas and Otto White. Paul received great joy in his family
here and abroad!
Paul lived life with infectious optimism and joy for life. He had a passion
for waterskiing for which he competed into his 90th year and was
inducted into the Waterski Hall of Fame. This passion was so great that
after losing a lease on a lake at 78 years young he bought acreage and
developed Tivoli Gardens a competition water ski lake for the
promotion of the sport he loves so much!
Paul had great Christian faith and always looked to his buddy (God) in
admiration & for guidance throughout his entire life! Paul is at peace!
Paul has been cremated and his life will be celebrated with family here
and in Denmark at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Mayo Clinic 200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905. This for which there is a special place in Paul’s
and our families hearts!
