Paul Richard Ashland, 87, died August 10, 2008 at his home in Rapid City. He was born the second of seven brothers in Clear Lake, Iowa on November 26, 1920 to Irving and Laura (Buffington) Ashland. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1937. He then graduated from the Hamilton School of Commerce at Mason City, IA where he was inducted into the typing hall of fame. He was employed at Milwaukee Railroad at Mitchell, SD until he entered the army on September 29, 1942. He was stationed in Alaska until September 1945. After his discharge, he married Maybelle Halverson of Mitchell, SD, on November 7, 1945. He continued his employment at the General Offices of Milwaukee Railroad in Chicago before accepting a position at the Veteran’s Administration in Sioux Falls. At that time, he and his wife operated a general store north of Sioux Falls in Morefield. He then moved to Rapid City and was the Assistant Plant Superintendent for Warren Lamb Lumber Company. He also served as a timekeeper for Donovan Construction on the Skyway Homes project at Ellsworth Air Force Base. He then entered the Civil Service at Ellsworth where he served until retirement in 1979. He had many other business interests during that time. He owned a farm north of Rapid City which he later developed into residential home sites. He was a licensed insurance agent until he sold his business. He and his wife were also licensed real estate brokers and owned AA Realty for 30 years. He and his wife also owned and operated the Black Hills Flea Market for 25 years. Paul was an avid writer. He wrote monthly articles for Milwaukee Magazine while in Mitchell, SD, and later at the general offices in Chicago, and while in the army in Alaska wrote weekly articles in the Sourdough Sentinel. He enjoyed working with his hands and was an avid arborer. He built a summer log home in Silver City from scratch.He was active in the YMCA men’s club, United Methodist Church, was a life member of DAV, VFW, American Legion, and was listed in the International Who’s Who of Professionals.He was a strong, quiet, dignified gentleman. He was kind and cared about the least of us. His caring and love were unqualified, but complete.He was preceded in death by his mother, his brother Dean, his father, his brother Harold, and his wife of 57 years, Maybelle. The family would like to thank Mary for caring and looking after him the last few years as his health declined. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Cooley, Arlington, TX; son Bruce and wife Polly, Rapid City; grandchildren, Joann Cooley, Arlington, TX; Monica Jones, Clarksville, TN; Kyle, Lucas, and Laura Ashland, Rapid City; 3 great-grandchildren; his stepmother Pearl Ashland Delahook, Ft. Dodge, IA; four brothers: Maurice and wife Betty, Albuquerque, NM; Roger, Kensington, MD, Frank, Lynchburgh, VA; Danny and wife Lola, Wapello, IA; sister Linda Ashland, New York City; and his kitty, Muffin.