Though it would be Paul’s nature to eschew any sort of tribute, all of us who loved him must insist.
Paul Christopher Doerner entered this world January 17, 1956 and departed it merely physically October 6, 2022 leaving behind his beloved partner of many years, Mike Campise, as well as their much loved dogs Ralphie and Dewie. It should give us all some peace knowing Paul will be happily reunited with his much loved dogs, Louie, Fachi, Gracie and Holly.
Paul was preceded in passing by his dad, Russell Doerner and is survived by his mom, Anna Mae Doerner, his brother Mark, sisters Krista (Mark) Sucher and Nancy (Jose) Vazquez. Paul was such a proud uncle, great uncle and cousin. He leaves behind his colleagues, friends and grateful design clients, too numerous to mention.
Paul received his formal architectural education at The University of Kansas, spending one year studying at University College London having been awarded a Paul Ewert Scholarship for study abroad. Paul was thereafter a dedicated Anglophile.
Following graduation, Paul returned to his native St. Louis spending the first few years of his career with several practitioners, perhaps most notably, William Bernoudi. A mere four years later, Paul invited his classmates and fellows, St. Louisans Jack Kemper, Steve Smith, and David Ohlemeyer, to join him in realizing their shared vision of a superfirm choosing to call it The Lawrence Group, in tribute to the college town in Kansas, where they had all met and become friends. Paul convinced his colleague Linda Loewenstein to join the new firm wisely recognizing the need for her talent and points of view. Paul recently retired from the Lawrence Group after nearly 40 years. He continued to practice, however, pursuing his personal passion for single family residential architecture as a consultant to other firms and as the creator/author of the “Homework” column for Town and Style Magazine.
Paul was an incredible Architect whose impact reached many both nationally and locally.
He was a generous resource for anyone seeking help with design despite, or more likely because of, his coaching style of being “vicious but fair.” He challenged traditional business practices, always seeking the best way to do things, and often having to chide his partners asking them to “suspend disbelief.”
He was passionate about his clients, the culture of the firm, and his friends and family. Most of all, Paul had the warmest heart for people. He cared deeply and he would quietly, behind the scenes, support and encourage them like no one else. He was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held at the Moto Museum, 3408 Locust St., St. Louis. MO 63103 on Sunday, October 23 from 11:00am – 2:00pm. Any donations may be made to the Humane Society.
Mike,
I am so sorry for your loss! Paul was just an incrediable man and I am still in shock over his death. I talked to Paul about a year ago and he had told me he had retired and you were both living up in North County close to UMSL. I also think we might have met some time ago when Paul & you still lived in Lafayette Square.
If I recall correctly, you used to put items in peoples shopping carts @ the grocery store and then watch them when they got to the check out and started arguing with each other about those items. Ring a bell?
Please keep me posted about the service as I would not want to miss it. I am deeply .saddened about him leaving all of us too soon!
With deepest sympathy,
Chuck Jung
Mike, Jeff and I were deeply saddened to hear about Paul. As chair of the LS Urban Plan, Paul and I worked closely together over many years to being the Plan to fruition. His creativity and vision helped to make Lafayette Square not simply one of the best urban neighborhoods in St Louis, but one of the best in the nation. He will always be remembered as a “giant” of the neighborhood. Our heartfelt condolences to you and his family.
Michael Lance
Jeff Archuleta
Palm Springs, Ca
I started my career basically with Paul, Dave, Linda and Steve. They were an amazing and supportive lead team. The professional standards I live by today still stands, because of their example. For me, truthfully it is hard to see them as separate and only focus on Paul- such an incredible force as a team. The earlier comment rang true- that he was supportive behind the scenes. There was more than a few occasions, that as a young Architect, I liked to go to Paul for design advice, and also listen to how to make a client happy- which was, of course, listening closely and giving them your absolute best. He remembered the details about me as if it was yesterday that we last spoke. He always asked how my mom was doing- I loved that. He only met her once. Again so kind. I received a million more gifts of friendship from Paul than I ever gave him, for sure. Prayers, love and respect to a really good man. – Diane Curran
We had worked unsuccessfully with two previous architects before we found Paul. Interestingly, I had worked with his father, Russ, at D’Arcy. Paul brought with him a quiet air of confidence and a Sherlock Holmes eye for detail. After showing him around our current home, he immediately “got us.” His sketches were works of art and captured not just the dimensions of the physical space but, more importantly, the feeling. If there was a question about an interior elevation, he would just draw it. He never needed an eraser. He would say to us, “Just come to me with your problems and I’ll come back to you with the solution.” “Okay,” we said. “We’d like you to reduce the square footage and add a bedroom.” (Seemed impossible to us, but of course, he did it.) Over the time we worked together, Paul became more like a family friend, someone to whom we could confide our fears and who frequently and gently talked us off the ledge. He was not only an outstanding architect, he was also a world-class human being
I am so very sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. I will always smile remembering his quick wit and quiet, kind demeanor. Sending you much love and peace.