Paul Matthew Nolan CHARLESTON - Paul Matthew Nolan, 58, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Paul was born August 19, 1964 to Shirley (Lepley) Nolan and James Nolan, both deceased, in Lewistown, PA. He spent his early years in Pennsylvania, but explored the world once he became an adult. Paul was devoted to learning and dedicated his life to the educational field. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University, he began his graduate degree at East Stroudsburg (PA) University and completed it at University of California - Davis. He then finished his doctoral work at Auburn University in Alabama. He also served as a Post-Doctorate Fellow at Arizona State University, then spent a year as a Visiting Professor at Ithaca College. In 2006, he joined The Citadel and the Graduate Program for the University of Charleston. Throughout his studies and teachings, Paul traveled the world in search of knowledge about his favorite topic - birds. He studied parrots in Puerto Rico and crows in Hawaii, along with yellow baboons and pintail ducks at a National Zoo research center. He traveled to the South Pole multiple times to study and record information about penguins. His most ambitious work and the area he made the most progress in allowing science to understand, however, was the humble house finch. In all, he received over 20 distinct awards and recognitions for himself and his work, including a nomination in 2022 as an Elective Member of the American Ornithological Society. He also served as official mentor to 44 graduate and undergraduate students in Charleston, and to hundreds more unofficially. Paul was also a prolific author. Collectively, he had over 40 peer-reviewed publications or scholarly papers, along with more than 100 presentations and invited speaker sessions. With or without a presentation, Paul didn't need a reason to talk to someone. He was a charming, fun person who remembered everyone's name and who everyone remembered once they met him. Paul would never allow anyone to feel lonely or alone if they were new to a conference. He had a knack for finding people who seemed to be unsure of where to go, easily made friends with them, and guided them on their way. Paul always had a story to tell and a way to make others laugh. He was especially known for his intellect, honesty, and ability to laugh at himself. He was a former president and board member for the Charleston Audubon & Natural History Society, an avid runner, and a long-time member of the Charleston Beer Runners club. Travel was his second love, and he recently completed a personal goal of visiting all 50 states with a trip to Arkansas. He is survived by his brothers, Scott (wife, Lynn) and Blake, and by his sisters, Valinda (Lindy) Ott (husband, Billy) and Cathy, along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom loved him dearly, along with countless wonderful friends everywhere. A memorial will be held on Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Drive, in Charleston. A memorial will also be held at The Citadel in the fall. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from May 24 to May 25, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Nolan

15 Entries

Gene Wilson

May 11, 2024

It's been a year since Paul passed and he's still in my thoughts daily. He was my best friend for forty years and truly an amazing person in so many ways.

Beth Youngstrom

August 18, 2023

Paul was a great friend and spent a lot of time with him at Mont Alto. He visited me and my family in Minnesota to bird watch of course. Always ready to laugh and tell wonderful stories. RIP Paul.

David Conner

June 20, 2023

Paul and I were friends at Penn State. He was kind, smart and fun to be around. He had an impressive academic career. I last saw him at a reunion of friends at Penn State in 2014.

He will be missed by many

Ana deJesus

June 12, 2023

Such a dedicated professor.

Bailey Jones

June 4, 2023

I met Paul when we were volunteers for the Sundilla Concert Series in Auburn, AL. When the founder of Sundilla decided to step down, she named Paul as her replacement; he proudly accepted, then turned to me and said "Oh, by the way, I just accepted a job in Arizona, so I guess you're in charge now!" :-) Despite the miles and the years we kept in touch (I would even sometimes ask him to check out performers who were playing near him, to see if he thought I should book them for Sundilla) and when he made a surprise appearance at a concert last year, it was probably my favorite moment of the year. I was hoping it wouldn't be the last time we saw him...

Lynn Clark

June 1, 2023

I worked with Paul, in the Biology Department at The Citadel, for 15 years. He was a very caring person, especially when it came to his students. Paul was also very kind and willing to help others. He never met a stranger. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with the family, during this difficult time.

Kirstin Steele

May 28, 2023

Deepest sympathies to Dr Nolan's family. He was a treasured colleague.

Emma

May 28, 2023

Emma

May 28, 2023

Emma

May 28, 2023

One of the things I'll always remember about Paul was his ability to connect almost any circumstance to a specific episode of Friends. And while I wasn't an official student of his, I know I learned a lot from Paul and am thankful for so many birding & running adventures together. Sad to have lost him too soon; wishing he rests in peace.

TeriLynn

May 25, 2023

I don't know where to begin to say how wonderful Paul was - very giving, great sense of humor, so very interesting his research and seminars were. No one can take his place, he will be sorely missed.

Jane D Settle

May 25, 2023

I knew "Dr Paul" well in the early 2000s, then lost touch until just in the past couple of years. It was as if no time had passed and the smart, funny man that I had known was right there. It has been just a delight learning about his research, students and all of the things that made him so special. When I saw him and the March Audubon meeting, I worried a bit, but .....
Rest in peace, Dr Paul, and may there be many birds!

Sandra Feather

May 25, 2023

He was a social person and in his 20´s at Penn State, I loved braiding his long hair. Tell me meet again. Love you Sandy Feather

Rachael

May 25, 2023

Paul and I completed our marathon maniacs goal together. He was a great friend and would always entertain me on our runs with his stories.

Judith Schofield

May 25, 2023

My sincere condolences to Paul´s family and his many dear friends I went to Penn State with Paul and count myself lucky to have known him. We made countless lasting memories including a camp trip hiking the Appalachian Trail I visited him in South Carolina and we had a blast at my 50th We were planning a visit in the spring and feel great loss I won´t see him again Paul was one of the kindest funniest people I have ever known He had numerous dear friends and touched the lives of so many with love positivity and joy Rest in pace

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