Dr. Paul Lang Jr.

Dr. Paul L. Lang, Jr., age 65, of Marquette, Michigan, entered eternal life Friday, January 9, 2015, at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, unexpectedly, following a brief illness. At the time of his death he was in the loving, comforting care of his family. Paul was born September 22, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a son of Paul Leo and Grace (Tush) Lang, Sr., and was raised in Pittsburgh. He attended St. Fidelis Minor Seminary and College in Herman, Pennsylvania, earning his Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Philosophy. Upon graduation, he entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Franciscan Order in Annapolis, Maryland, studying theology. Paul later left the novitiate and worked in law enforcement in Western Pennsylvania, while simultaneously earning his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). He later worked at IUP as both the Director of Criminal Justice Training and the Director of Public Safety, during which he earned a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. His academic career also included time at Radford University in Virginia as a tenured professor and Head of the Criminal Justice Department. He moved with his family to Marquette in 1997 to serve in the same capacity at Northern Michigan University (NMU). Paul held various administrative positions throughout his career at NMU, most recently serving as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Recognized and acknowledged as a mentor, teacher, and leader by all who knew him, Paul was a person who always aspired to do what was right. He never sought the spotlight for himself, but instead created an environment in which others could prosper. His family was everything to him, and his morals were the compass by which he lived. He was a devoted husband and father, and his faith, students, and faculty were paramount. Paul was a dedicated member of St. Peter Cathedral where he formerly served on the parish council and chaired the Cathedral Development Committee. He also served on the Board of the Janzen House. Paul is survived by his loving wife, Mona, whom he married April 30, 1983 in Homer City, Pennsylvania; his beautiful daughter, MacKenzie Lang of Washington, D.C.; his siblings, Sally (Howard) Stubert of Williamsburg, VA, Jeffery (Diane) Lang of Venetia, PA, and Roberta (George) Namey of Lower Burrell, PA; his nieces and nephews, Jennifer Wilkerson, Kami Cekosh, Michael Namey, Melissa Billingsley, Matthew Namey, Andrea Morrison, Kristy Long, and Rebecca Venediktov. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the C. Frederick Bowser Funeral from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at noon at the funeral home. Interment will be made in St. Bernard Cemetery in Indiana, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Northern Michigan University for a scholarship to be established in Dr. Lang's memory or the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, 220-37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201.