Paul Dilwyn Summers

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. on January 23, 2014:

Paul Dilwyn Summers, Jr. Born December 12, 1928 -- Died January 18, 2014 Paul Dilwyn "PD" Summers, Jr. was born on 12 December 1928 to Paul Summers and Dorothy Mathers Summers at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was appointed to West Point on an Honor appointment from Valley Forge Military School. At West Point Paul adapted easily and enjoyed good relations with the Tactical Department but was never too close to the hearts of the Academic Department. A lady's man by nature PD enjoyed dragging, sailing, and skating. His classmates said that Paul would always be remembered for his easy going way and his efficient manner of getting things done. Paul earned wrestling numerals during his Plebe year and was a Cheerleader First Class year. Paul was on the Howitzer Staff plebe and yearling years, with the Sailing Club plebe, yearling, and cow years, and with the Camera Club cow and first class years. On graduation PD went in the Infantry and reported to his first assignment at Fort Ord after the Basic Infantry Course in 1952. He served in the Korean War with the 223rd Infantry Regiment from 1952 to 1953 for which he earned two Bronze Star Medals and the Combat Infantryman Badge. On return from Korea Paul was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division where he served until 1953 when he resigned his commission as a First Lieutenant. Paul then went to Law School and obtained the LLB degree from the University of Virginia in 1957. He served as Trust Officer at the Citizens Bank and Trust Company. Presently PD is President, Summers Capital Services a position he has held since 1980. PD and Jill Faulkner, daughter of the famous author, were married on August 24, 1954. They have 3 children; Paul Summers III, Catherine, and A. Burks Summers and four grandchildren, three girls and one boy, the oldest, at this writing, being seven years old and the youngest eighteen months. Paul says, "Jill is the hands on operator of the Knole Farm, and has been for over thirty years. The farm is a thoroughbred breeding farm with all the horses, however, going to the show ring or to fox hunting. Jill has also been Master of Fox Hounds for the Farmington Hunt Club for 29 years. The Club is the chief honcho of the hunt, i. e. where the buck stops. We both ride all year, but especially during the summer when Jill is breaking and training the young entries and the winter when we are hunting. We also both have fly-fished since we were married and try to take several fishing vacation trips every year. The four grandchildren live on or right next to the farm, so we have the wonderful blessing of watching them grow and sharing time with them." Paul and Jill made their home at Knole Farms, Centerville, Virginia and all indications are they had a ball. On 11-24-2004 Paul checked in as follows: My day is Thanksgiving but you get it a day early since there are other things to do than sit in front of a computer. Jill and I had our 50th anniversary on August 21st together with our whole family - 3 children and 5 grandchildren at the Homestead in Virginia. We continue to live on Knole Farm where we have been fortunately since 1962. Two of the children with their 4 grandchildren also live on the farm so we see them all on an almost daily basis. The other child with her daughter lives in Falls Church and we see them often. I am still a full-time investment counselor but am beginning to think of retiring within the next few years. Very very luckily both Jill and I have good health - obviously at our age there are nicks and scratches but nothing major. The older I get the more important good health seems to be. We have not had much of a chance to see many classmates over the years and I really look forward to Beadeye's daily reports to keep up with Black '51. Beat Navy and God bless one and all.

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