Paul Schumaker

Paul Schumaker was born to Winton and Ruth Schumaker on July 27, 1946, in Appleton, Wisconsin, and died in Lawrence, Kansas, on July 23, 2026. Paul spent his childhood in Appleton, where he was an honors student and a member of championship basketball, tennis, and cross-country teams.

He went on to Beloit College, where his academic life flourished. He was an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon and, somewhat to his own surprise, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. It was at Beloit that he met Lynn Burlingham, a young woman with roots in Norway, London, and New York. Although life eventually carried them in different directions, the friendship and spiritual love they shared at Beloit quietly endured.

After earning his M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Paul joined the political science department at the University of Kansas in 1972. He married Jean Bragg Schumaker, also a professor at KU, and together they welcomed their sons, Jesse in 1980 and Scott in 1985. Being a father was one of Paul's greatest joys. Whether it was a game, a meet, a concert, or another milestone, he treasured being present as his boys grew into remarkable men.

Years later, life brought Lynn back into Paul's world, and reconnecting with her became one of the great blessings of his life. They married in 1999 and built a life together in Lawrence's Deerfield neighborhood. Lynn, an accomplished educator of gifted students and a published memoirist, continually inspired Paul. Together they traveled to Lynn's family cabin in Kristiansand, Norway, and spent many summers on Lake Archibald in northern Wisconsin, where Paul had inherited his parents' cabin. Paul had long dreamed of sitting with Lynn on the dock, but they ended up spending their days on a pontoon boat, reading, playing Scrabble, and hosting family. He remained close to his sons and their families, delighting in the time he spent with them and his grandchildren. Paul was also grateful for the relationship he shared with his step-daughter Cora, whose kindness and generous spirit enriched his life.

Paul spent 45 years as a professor of political science at KU, serving multiple terms as department chair and authoring several books on democracy and political theory - books he would probably still be delighted to know someone picked up from time to time.

Equally important were the friendships he sustained throughout his life: his high school buddies ("the Terrors"), his fraternity brothers ("the Tekes"), and the friends with whom he played basketball and tennis in Lawrence. Paul adored his friends.

Paul is survived by his wife, Lynn; sons Jesse (Ashley) and Scott (Jennifer); grandchildren Bryce, Kylie, Wesley, Emmy, Reece, and Caden; Cora, and his sister, Ellen.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Paul's family suggests writing Lynn a note sharing a favorite memory of Paul or making a donation to an organization working to make communities more just and compassionate.