Paul Peterson Passes Away

Paul Peterson, former Vice President of Accounting and Finance for NOLHGA for 29 years, passed away on April 8, 2023. He was 65.

At NOLHGA, Paul served as the main staff contact for the Accounting Issues Committee and Assessment Data Task Force and provided accounting/financial support to the vast majority of insolvency task forces. In particular, he provided support to the Lincoln Memorial/Memorial Service Life Insurance Companies Task Force; his work on the litigation stemming from that case helped in the recovery of almost $260 million for the litigating plaintiffs.

More than that, he was an invaluable resource for NOLHGA’s member guaranty associations and their Executive Directors, who knew they could call him any time with a question or a request for help. Stories about Paul’s gruff manner when answering those kinds of calls are legion, but there are no such stories about Paul refusing to help. Members quickly realized that behind that gruff exterior was a kind and highly intelligent man who was eager to help anyone who needed it. Provided, of course, that they were willing to talk about his beloved Green Bay Packers.

Paul’s boisterous laugh and legendary storytelling ability will be missed by all who knew him. For almost three decades of NOLHGA events, the table where Paul sat was a tough seat to get. He always drew a crowd, entertaining them with stories of past jobs, high school football, life in Wisconsin, his early days in the insurance industry, his passion for videogames, and the occasional Bigfoot sighting. Everyone left the event tired from laughing, and with a greater appreciation for the brilliance of Bart Starr. He was also one of the biggest proponents of having cookies at every NOLHGA meeting, and you can bet there will be cookies at this month’s MPC meeting in Milwaukee.

NOLHGA expresses our deepest condolences to Paul’s wife, Marcia; his family; and the many, many people in the guaranty community who loved him.