Paul R. Cahn, (12/21/1925 – 10/09/2025),  passed away on October 9, 2025. Beloved husband of Elissa; cherished father of Naomi (Tony) and Debra (Art); dear grandfather to Julie (Tobias), Emily (Benjamin), Lauren, Louisa (Trevor), and Abigail; uncle, cousin, and beloved friend to many.

Paul Cahn was born in Mainz, Germany, where his family had lived for three generations. He was the youngest of the three sons of Carl and Marie Luise (Richart) Cahn. Carl was a businessman, and both of Paul’s parents were active in their community.

On Kristallnacht, the synagogue the family attended was destroyed.  Carl was deported to Buchenwald, where he was held for three weeks. Paul celebrated his bar mitzvah soon after, in the basement of the Jewish Community Center.

As the situation in Germany became more dangerous, the family enlisted Canadian jeweler William Birks to help them escape. Over a period of months, Birks was ultimately able to persuade the highest levels of the Canadian government to allow the family to immigrate. Finally,  the Cahn family was able to escape to Montreal in February 1939.

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Paul left high school and began working in the shoe business. He married Elissa Mae Richstone in 1956. After the births of their daughters, the family moved to St. Louis in 1960. He described himself as a “shoe technician,” but he was also a wholesaler, retailer, and entrepreneur. He built several businesses, including Elan-Polo and FootAction, and travelled widely for work.

In addition to his business career, Paul collected silver and Native American textiles. His collections were exhibited at museums around the world, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He served on the boards of the St. Louis Art Museum, Covenant Place, and several businesses. His biography, Paul Cahn Makes His Mark, was a bronze medal winner in biography from the independent Publisher Book Awards in 2009.

Above all, Paul was devoted to his family. He took great pride in the lives of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He treasured the time he spent with them.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Covenant Place Foundation or to a charity that is meaningful to you.

A private graveside service was held on October 12.  Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.