Robert E. Paulsen, Sr., age 84, of Auburn died peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Rose Monahan Hospice in Worcester.

Bob was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and always a United States Marine. He leaves behind his wife Elizabeth (Sullivan) of Auburn and his ten children – Elizabeth Bohanan and her husband David of Sutton; Karen Matson and her husband David of Sutton; Donna Richardson and her husband William of Brookfield; Robert Jr. and his wife Mary of Rutland; Darrell and his wife Melissa of Indiana; Thomas and his wife Diane of South Carolina; Mary Assurian and her husband James of Maryland; Kevin and his wife Christine of Concord; David and his wife Melissa of Worcester and John and his wife Andrea of California. Bob also leaves behind 29 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren who always brightened his day.

Born and raised in Iowa, Bob joined the United States Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of Sargent. After serving in Korea he was stationed at the American Embassy in Bogata, Colombia where he met his beloved wife Elizabeth (Betty), a staff member at the Embassy. They would go on to share 61 years of marriage. After a brief return to Iowa the Paulsens relocated to Auburn where Bob and Betty devoted themselves to raising their family. He worked for Presmet Corporation in Worcester where his midwestern work ethic and determination helped him to rise to be the Manufacturing Manager for many years. In his early forties Bob began with the sport of running. Competitively running over many years, he ran 17 marathons including the Boston Marathon, The New York City Marathon, The Marine Corp Marathon and several Cape Cod marathons. He was a long-time member of the Central Mass Striders. He could often be seen running the streets of Auburn in the wee hours of the morning in any type of weather. When not running, working or caring for his family, Bob could be found walking nine holes on the Pakachoag Golf Course with Betty or one of his children.

Bob, who had battled Parkinson’s Disease for over 25 years leaves behind a legacy that has far surpassed his humble beginnings on a small farm in Iowa. He was a man of few words, more of a man of action, and he will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bob’s family on Sunday, July 1, 2018 from 4 – 7 PM at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral will be on Monday, July 2 with a Funeral Mass celebrated at 10:00 AM at North American Martyrs’ Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn. Burial will follow at Worcester Country Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to either the North American Martyrs Parish Church Renovation Fund, 8 Wyoma Drive Auburn, MA 01501 or to ‘Paulsen’s Putt Against Parkinson’s Disease’, an annual golf tournament established in Bob’s honor to raise money for Parkinson’s Disease research and patient care at The University of Massachusetts Medical School.