Paul L. Golder ‘68 died on October 6, 2026, in Roslindale, Massachusetts.

(The following was provided by the Brezniak Funeral Directors – Newton on October 8, 2026:)

Paul L. Golder, 79, of Roslindale, son of the late Joseph and Mildred Golder, passed away suddenly on October 6, 2026, just a few weeks shy of his 80th birthday.

Paul was raised in Newton, and was a graduate of Bowdoin College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He pursued a graduate degree in chemistry at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, but soon became aware that he was more suited to life in the world of computers and became a programmer in the time of mainframes.

In his early life, he was an avid tennis and chess player, but truly loved his hikes in the White Mountains, photographing the sweeping views and the quiet intimacy of a delicate fern.

Life presented challenges for Paul, as he was born with autism, then known as “Asperger’s Syndrome.” Unfortunately, the diagnosis was not widely recognized in the U.S. until 1994. Many people who had simply been considered “odd” finally had a clinical diagnosis. By the time Paul was diagnosed, in his 50s, he had also developed OCD along with other mental and physical health challenges, and holding down a job had just become a memory.

Still, Paul refused to be defined by his challenges and worked hard at being a kind and caring soul in each community where he resided. He was up for a spirited discussion of world events or the dismal condition of the stock market. In his later years, his true passion was nutrition, and his goal was to be the “Johnny Appleseed “of good health. He could spin endlessly on why you shouldn’t put yogurt on your blueberries.

Paul truly cared about the neighbors in his condominium complex in Easton, the Fireman Community in Randolph, and Hebrew Rehab in Roslindale, where he spent his final months taking great care of the vegetable gardens. We know that they cared for him as well.

He is survived by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Shirley Golder; his beloved nephew Andrew Golder; and his beloved niece Kate Crafford.