Paul E. Aldrich

Paul E. Aldrich of Wilmington DE, beloved husband of Betty Aldrich,  passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, aged 97.  He was born in 1928 to Richard and Stella Aldrich of Ohio.

Paul developed a love of chemistry after receiving a chemistry set as a present when he was in elementary school. Graduating from MIT in 1952 on the GI bill, he worked 2 years before getting his PhD in chemistry at the University of Wisconsin in 1958. He then moved to Delaware to join Dupont, where he worked as a medicinal chemist for many years, filing numerous patents. After 30 years at Dupont, Paul moved on to work at Dupont-Merck, working in the field of AIDS research, once again filing multiple patents.

Paul met the love of his life, Betty Traugott of West Point, VA, in 1962, and they were married the following year. They raised two children, Craig and Mark Aldrich. Mark went on to marry Julie Henderleiter and provided one grandchild to Paul and Betty: Luke Aldrich.

Paul was always known as a kind man who put the word “gentle” into gentleman. He preferred to labor behind the scenes, being an assistant coach for his sons’ sports teams and an usher at his church Aldersgate UMC for many years. He especially enjoyed reading to children, first to his boys, then to his grandson, then to children at the Read Aloud program.

He preferred to model good behavior rather than talk about it. He showed his sons and grandson the value in thinking before acting and controlling impulses. For the last 16 years of his life, he fought Parkinson’s disease, giving way but never giving up. He became a role model for resilience and grit, showing extreme patience.

Paul’s example of kindness, gentleness and service will live on through those fortunate enough to have known him.

Donations in Paul’s memory can be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be private.