Paul Kaiser

Paul G. Kaiser, Jr. 84, of Chambersburg, passed away February 29, 2024 at Brookview Health Care Center, Chambersburg after living remarkably the last 22 years with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born January 1, 1940, in Chambersburg PA. Paul was the son of the late Paul G. and Helen I. (Stouffer) Kaiser. He was the first baby born in Franklin County in 1940 and his parents were given a $5 gas card in recognition of this.

Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years, Connie Kaiser; four children, Lynnette Kaiser Smeznik and her husband Ronald of Cleveland, Ohio, Chrystal Kaiser Miracle of Chambersburg, Bryan Kaiser and his wife Jessica of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Kevin Getz and his wife Jane Carter-Getz of Jackon, Wyoming; nine grandchildren, Matt Boyer, Chrystal (Boyer) Hull and husband Jeff, Ryan Miracle, Davis Miracle and his wife Lindsay, Bryce Miracle, Lilian, Morgan and Brayden Kaiser, and Jack Carter-Getz; three great-grandchildren Haylee and Adalynn Hull, and Bowan Miracle; a brother, Maurice Kaiser and his wife Patricia of Chambersburg; a sister, Barbara Petroff of Chambersburg; and three nieces, Shendelle (Kaiser) Clapper, Kimberly (Kaiser) Geissler, and Ruth Ann Petroff. He was pre-deceased by a daughter Kelly Getz and her son Samuel Getz.

Paul had a rich love of many things in life especially golf, family and friends, his grandchildren and sharing his love of sports with them, attending their sporting events, and entertaining them with his off-key singing, Sunday dinners with the family, life on the Kaiser farm, and spending time at the family hunting camp in Ridgeway.

He was a 1958 graduate of Chambersburg High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University in 1962 and his Master’s degree from Shippensburg University in 1964. As an undergraduate student at Shippensburg, Paul lettered for four years in the sport of baseball as a left-handed pitcher. He was co-captain of the baseball team in 1962.

Former Cross County and Track and Field “Coach Kaiser” touched the lives of hundreds of individuals while coaching at both Chambersburg High School and Shippensburg University. In addition to coaching cross country and track and field, he also served as legion baseball coach with Coach Bob Thomas. Paul served as Camp Legion’s canoe instructor at Scotland School of Veterans Children, teaching youth how to build canoes and use them on waterways.

Paul began his teaching career at Chambersburg Area Senior High (CASHS) in 1962 and was named Teacher of the Year in 1964. He had hoped to coach high school baseball, but instead was approached about helping to start the high school boys cross country program. That began a new career and a memorable journey for him and dozens of athletes. He started coaching the boys cross country program in 1967 and over his high school coaching career, he compiled a 116-5-1 dual meet record. Among the wins was a 96 consecutive dual meet victory streak. He also served as a class advisor to three classes during his time at CASHS.

Paul returned to Shippensburg University as an assistant cross country and track and field coach in 1974. While at Shippensburg, he lovingly became known as “Killer Kaiser” for his grueling workouts and competitive spirit. He served as head coach from 1977 to 1981 and then after two years in private industry, he returned as head coach from 1983 to 1990.

During his years as head coach, “Killer” built Shippensburg's cross country team into a national power in just a few years. The team placed 17th at the NCAA Division II national championships in 1978, eighth in 1979 and ninth in 1980.

The Shippensburg track and field program also flourished under his direction. The team achieved a 60-11 dual meet record, including four undefeated seasons from 1984 to 1987. Additionally, the Red Raiders captured PSAC championships in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1990.

Numerous individuals were PSAC champions through the years and dozens more were place-winners. During his coaching tenure, two athletes earned NCAA Division II national championships. In addition, 13 individuals earned a cumulative total of 20 All-America laurels.

In addition to his coaching duties, Paul also served the university as the Director of Conferences and Field Representative for Athletics. He was the overseer of all the university’s summer camps and conferences and served as the liaison for the university with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Paul was inducted into the SU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004. In 2005, the Shippensburg University Collegiate Invitational was renamed the Paul Kaiser Classic in his honor.

A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 1811 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, PA. Visitation will be one hour before the service and immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paul Kaiser Athletic Scholarship Fund c/o the Shippensburg University Foundation, 500 Newburg Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 or online at: tinyurl.com/PaulKaiserScholarship

Services are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Chambersburg, PA. Condolences may be offered at geiselfuneralhome.com