ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national Christian public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, mourns the loss of a long standing member of its Citizens Advisory Board – Paul Henkels.
Mr. Henkels died on Thursday, January 11, 2009, at his home in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Mr. Henkels was the chairman of Henkels & McCoy, Inc, a worldwide engineering, construction, and maintenance firm. He was a graduate of Haverford College with a B.A. in Engineering. He was a recognized expert in labor relations, and has lectured on Ethics in Business at numerous colleges and universities.
Mr. Henkels was also co-founder and present chairman of the REACH Alliance (Road to Educational Achievement through Choice), an organization working for school choice both in the state of Pennsylvania and nationwide. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of Temple University Hospital, Lejeune Institute, Vatican Observatory Foundation, Arts & Letters Advisory Council of Notre Dame, and the American College of Louvain University in Belgium. He had been awarded honorary degrees from Chestnut Hill College and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. He was a Knight of Malta, and was given the Award for Excellence from the Commission for Independent Colleges and Universities.
During World War II, Mr. Henkels served in the Army Signal Corps in France.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center commented, “The Thomas More Law Center mourns the loss of a great Christian man. Paul Henkels was a man fighting in the arena – not afraid. He will be missed.”
In addition to his wife of 51 years Barbara, Mr. Henkels is survived by sons Paul Jr., Christopher, Andrew, T. Roderick, and Timothy; daughters Amy Healey, Carol Lilley, Barbara Gorman, Angela and Marin; a brother; two sisters; and 27 grandchildren.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.