Paul Andrew Philippou's Obituary
“Fair winds and following seas.”
Paul was born and raised in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, with an early curiosity and drive. He passed away peacefully at home in Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi, and is remembered for his intelligence, generosity, compassion, creativity, and determination.
Paul had a lifelong passion for learning and discovery. He earned a B.S. with honors in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1991, where he was inducted into the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. As a brilliant mathematician and coder, he then attended the University of Arizona, earning an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1996, and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Optical Sciences in 2000. During his graduate studies, he was dedicated to his fraternity, rushing Theta Tau (Chi Chapter) in the Spring of 1994, being initiated on May 8th, and serving as Regent for the 1995–1996 school year. He also earned several professional certifications from Stanford University. Each milestone fueled his deep love for problem-solving and innovation.
As a retired Research & Development Scientist, Paul supported national security through his work with federal defense and intelligence contractors, collaborating closely with the CIA and NSA, including assignments with NSA/CSS Pacific and the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific (JICPAC). While the highly classified nature of his career limited public recognition, he was a true American hero whose exceptional impact was recognized through the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, among others. He also received challenge coins presented by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Director of the National Security Agency / Central Security Service (NSA/CSS). His brilliant intellect and commitment to innovation left a lasting impact on his professional field.
Away from work, Paul loved the water. He loved everything about the ocean—the look, the sound, and the motion. As an accomplished sailor, he found great joy spending time aboard his sailboat, Philosophy, which was at home at Waikiki Yacht Club. He beautifully restored her interior, added custom enhancements to her electrical, climate, and instrumentation systems, and designed and built his own accessories for her. Generous with his time and his boat, he regularly invited fellow sailors and guests out on the water, welcoming familiar faces and new acquaintances alike. His passion for the water extended to scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, and power boating, and he gave back to the community as a certified underwater rescue diver with the American Red Cross. He also earned a black belt in Tang Soo Do, and was skilled in archery, ax throwing, pool, and pinball. He loved traveling, outdoor adventures, and listening to a wide range of music.
Home life was equally lively. Paul would often juggle a couple of books alongside an audiobook, routinely solve tricky crossword puzzles, enjoy card games, board games, jigsaw puzzles, and watch great movies on movie nights with his kids and friends. He enjoyed preparing everyday family favorites, loved making traditional family dishes, recreated restaurant favorites, and tried out new recipes he heard about. He also crafted beautiful, intricate, and practical woodworking items, including custom home furnishings, additional custom pieces for his boat, and kitchenware.
Paul had a profoundly deep love for his family, and he was completely devoted to creating special memories together. His partner Valarie Anderson, and his kids (Zoe) Alex, Karston, and Kelii treasured beach walks and family cooking sessions. His brothers Tom (Jackie) and Jim (Lisa) were always there for Paul when he needed them, offering their support, advice, and guidance. He was equally blessed by a circle of friends whom he embraced entirely as family, sharing lifelong bonds alongside close connections made throughout his life.
Paul’s legacy is one of a compassionate heart and an open, giving hand. To honor his generous spirit, the family invites donations to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank https://hawaiifoodbank.org/
As we celebrate his beautiful life, we bid him aloha on his final voyage with his own favorite phrase in parting: “Fair winds and following seas.”
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