Paul Joseph Bitz, of Evansville, Indiana passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2014, at home.
Paul was a graduate of Reitz Memorial High School and Evansville College/University of Evansville. During World War II he served in the 1877th Engineering Battalion in India. Shortly after his return to civilian life, he married Margaret Ernestine Mills (Tena), a union that created nine children.
He became active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as Post 1114 Commander for five years, as 8th District Commander, and in several state positions with the organization. He received numerous honors from both the VFW and Disabled American Veterans of Indiana.
Paul also began pursuing his passion for public service. He was elected as Indiana State Senator in 1954 and re-elected in 1958. His legislative accomplishments included: property tax exemptions for seniors, the visually and hearing impaired; an employer requirement to grant military leave for reservists; and righting a legal wrong by finally giving people with epilepsy the right to marry.
Paul remained active in local and national politics following his State Senate terms. He was regional campaign manager for President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. He helped head up campaigns for local, state, and national candidates, including Senator Vance Hartke. He was a stalwart of the local Democrat Party, President of the Roberts Stadium board for six years, and head of Voter’s Registration for eight years. He was a devoted member of St. Benedict’s Cathedral.
Paul and wife Tena (deceased) were proud parents of nine children: Mike Bitz (deceased), Greg Bitz, Cindy Korff, Bonnie Reinhart, Karen Stewart, Kevin Bitz (deceased), Kim Patrick Bitz, Terence David Bitz, and Roger Bitz (deceased).
Paul was blessed with 16 grandchildren: Tammy, Tracy, Jennifer, Dale, Darcy, Dawn, Tim, Andrew, Kevin, Heather, Holly, Julie, Jocelyn, Matthew, Ryan, and Douglas, plus 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
A memorial mass for Paul will take place in the mausoleum chapel at St. Joseph Cemetery on Saturday, March 1st, at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to St. Benedict Cathedral or the VNA. Condolences may be made online at www.browningfuneral.com
My sincere condolences to the Bitz family. I admired Mr. Bitz for staying a ‘concerned citizen’ and behind-the-scenes political force into his 90’s. Loved seeing him at City Council meetings, he relished that.
May Mr. Bitz serve as an exemplar of getting involved in your community. Now get busy !
Paul Bitz was a “force of nature” and a delightful man. When he walked into a room, it became lighter and the energy level of everyone went up.
My sympathies to his family. He was truly a good person who always did his best.
I will miss Mr. Bitz.
Paul Bitz was one of those guys you knew would do the right thing, not the political thing or the profitable thing,but the thing that was correct.
He could command the attention of a room like very few others. He was successful because he always came up with self made strategies instead of kissing s
…instead of kissing someone’s rear or licking someone’s boots. He will always be remembered for what he accomplished and how he accomplished it.
Paul was a good guy. We didn’t always agree but he was a up front guy. You knew where he stood. He told me one time what he thought was wrong with the local democrat party. He said the old timers didn’t know when to get out of the way. At the time Paul was still involved with several campaigns. He was 83 at the time. That made me chuckle.
RIP Paul. You earned a well deserved rest.
Jack Waldroup
And thank you, Dear Editor, for running his obituary. We all need to remember that very fine people have been amongst us, and to remember the knowledge they imparted to us.
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