Our good friend and classmate, PAUL RAY HINCKLEY, died of cancer on 12 April 1984. His classmates in Company I-1 missed his friendly smile, good humor and companionship on our 40th Reunion Bermuda cruise, learning subsequently that he had passed away.

Paul was born 11 March 1925 in Provo, Utah, to Abrelia and Robert H. Hinckley. He attended Ogden City schools and later the New Mexico Military Institute. Following the lead of his older brother, Robert H. Hinckley, Jr., USMA Class of '42, Paul entered West Point in 1945. Without Paul, plebe year would have been an even more dreadful experience for those of us in his cadet company, and the remaining three years would not have been enriched by his friendship. Upon graduation, Paul was assigned to the infantry, but flying was his real interest. On 1 May 1950 his requested service transfer was approved, and he was able to pursue the career also chosen by his brother, a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Leaving Fort Benning for flight training, Paul and his young bride, the former Jeanne Fecteau, bade farewell to all of their Army friends, most of whom never saw them again. But they kept hearing about Paul. He became a pilot and saw combat in the Korean war. In 1954 he resigned his commission to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. He was well-known for his skills as a professional photographer and his specialty of unique aerial photographs.

Sadly, tragedy struck early in Paul's life. After only four short, happy years of marriage, Jeanne died of polio. His third wife, the former Muriel Targett, preceded him in death. Paul is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Robert Long of Phoenix, Arizona and Mrs. Kevin Meyer of Sacramento, California, and a son, Hugh D. Hinckley of Salt Lake City, Utah. He also leaves two grandchildren, and his brothers, Robert H. Hinckley, Jr. and John Hinckley, and his sister, Betty Nibley.

It would be difficult to improve upon Robert H. Hinckley, Jr.'s tribute:

"Paul Ray Hinckley was my brother and one of my dearest friends. In a close-knit family of four children, as the youngest, he was our blithe spirit. He had the wonderful characteristic of doing tasks earlier and better than the rest of us.

"He had the great quality of getting all of his opportunities in the right perspective and in the correct order. In his life, he used his sense of humor as his armor to get him through some very, very difficult knotholes.

"In his last contest with lung cancer over an extended period of time, he demonstrated the fine art of using courage and humor to help him over the last barrier. As my brother and steadfast friend, he contributed to and elevated the quality of my life."

Paul's roommates

Personal Eulogy