On June 12, Paul D. Kagen of Silver Spring passed away peacefully at his home after a happy and productive life of 84 years. He was surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of almost 60 years of Dorothy Berlin Kagen; loving and respected father of Ellen Kagen Waghelstein and Susan Kagen Podell; caring father-in-law of David B. Waghelstein and Michael Podell; devoted and cherished grandfather of Andrea and Evan Waghelstein and Rachel and Dana Podell; and dear brother of Burton V. Kagen and Selma Rosen.
Paul was born June 6, 1930, in New York City and grew up in the Bronx. He was a proud Eagle Scout and graduate of Stuyvesant High School and The City College of New York. He earned his MBA from American University. A veteran of the Korean War, he served in Korea for two years. In 1961, Paul passed his CPA exam with the second highest score in the state of Maryland. He worked for the federal government for 30 years as a regulatory rate specialist, later serving as chief accountant for various regulatory commissions. For 16 of these years, Paul served as the treasurer of Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim and as a board member. In the words of Rabbi Reuben Landman, he set the precedent and philosophy for all the other treasurers that followed. He knew that his job was to keenly watch over the finances of the synagogue as a public trust; to make sure that every penny was accounted for, that every penny spent was within the budget and in the best long term financial interest of the synagogue. Over the many years of his service, Paul gave his heart and soul to the shul and was generous with his time and money, supporting many other Jewish institutions and causes. Upon retiring from the federal government, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting a successful private CPA practice in Silver Spring, which still bears his name. Always one to serve his community, during this time he was also the volunteer treasurer of the Coolfont Mountainside Association in Berkley Springs, W.Va. Throughout his life, Paul was a life-long learner and teacher, a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast and, in his later years, an avid walker. He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. Funeral services were held June 16 at Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim with burial at Judean Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Har Tzeon-Agudath Achim, Cherner Memorial Fund or The Waghelstein Hopes and Dreams Fund of the Jewish Federation of Greater
