Paul Ryan Guttman

Paul Ryan Guttman died April 30, 2006 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was born and raised in Akron, Ohio and moved to Massillon in 1996. He attended Kent State University in 1969, majoring in LSD and euchre, where he had quite a reputation as a student activist. After years of struggle, 23 years ago he became a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Paul had a unique ability to inspire others, which inevitably led him to pursue a career in social work. He received a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Akron and a Master of Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. He achieved many professional licenses, among them Licensed Independent Social Worker and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. Paul flourished in his career offering courage, strength and hope to all whom crossed his path. He had a way of listening that made everyone he came into contact with feel important. He provided direct service in the field of addiction treatment for 12 years and personally treated over 6000 clients in crisis. Paul most recently served as Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Addictions Services Board of Stark County. There are many people whose lives he changed for the better every day just by being the person he was. He will be remembered as a true Renaissance man, whose interests included painting, sculpting, photography, woodworking, entertaining, collecting, and music. The only things that surpassed his creativity were his love of life and his sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his father Theobald, mother Laura Jean, and brother Jon. Paul will be sadly missed by his wife Sue, son Arlo (Ruthe) Guttman, daughter Sarah (Nick) Guttman, grandchildren Mick and Emma, sister Shari Guttman, sister-in-law Joann Guttman of Wilmington, NC, and others too numerous to mention. Friends may call 5-8 PM Wednesday and from 1 PM until 2 PM Thursday at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. A Tribute to Paul's life will be 2 PM Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any alcohol or other drug treatment or prevention agency in Stark County. Paquelet - Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-3222