Paul was one of my closest college friends. We spent countless regular days together that I now cherish as some of my favorites. I will always remember Paul for being a uniquely good-hearted and joyful person who uplifted everyone around him. He lived each day to the fullest, always full of energy and ambition. He cared about his friends and family and consistently went out of his way to be there for them. He was the kind of person who made you feel optimistic about the future without meaning to. He is deeply missed, but his memory lives on, and I will always be grateful to have known such a great friend and person.

"Paul meant a lot to me growing up ... At Springer, he showed me what friendship and unconditional love was in the most pure form... He never spoke an unkind word to me. He always took the time to make sure I felt included and heard. As a child, I had no idea how important that was and how much it would impact my life as an adult. Paul was so incredibly smart and even as a child he could comprehend things that are still beyond me to this day…Paul had this amazing ability to explain the most complex subjects in a way where even I could understand it… I will always be grateful for the friend I had in Paul…He taught my sisters karate. I remember that vividly. I looked forward to going to their classes because he and I would have an opportunity to catch up. He always greeted both of my sisters with a smile. He always showed respect to our parents. Paul always welcomed each of us like an old friend. He is remembered very fondly by all five of us...When I transferred schools in high school, he welcomed me with open arms. He treated me like no time had passed at all and that was comforting to me. High school is hard, senior year was hard, but he was always there with a pep talk and kind words. He would listen to every little thing I had to say and he helped me get through things I couldn’t do by myself. He helped me with schoolwork when I was dealing with a learning disability. He helped me with social issues. He gave me a safe place to just exist. I hate that I never thanked him enough for that. I didn’t thank him enough for his smile, his laughter, and his kindness …The last time I spent time with Paul was in 2017. I picked him up and we went somewhere in Los Altos near Foothill. We sat in a field and we listened to music and we laughed and reminisced about simpler times. It was warm and sunny. He was happy. That’s how I’ll always remember him."

"Paul and I were introduced to each other on the first day of freshman year of high school and we just clicked. He has changed my life in so many ways that I cannot begin to put into words but am beyond grateful for. Paul was a beloved friend, classmate, student, teacher, and so much more for everyone's lives he touched. I will miss his unwavering support and open-mindedness, qualities that made him truly unique. Paul always had a unique relationship with music. It wasn't just a passion of his; it was an integral part of his being. Paul played a beautiful and unforgettable part in the grand symphony of life. My favorite memory of Paul involved dressing my usually stoic dog, Riley, in a tutu. Despite Riley's typical aversion to such interactions, he surprisingly let Paul put on the tutu without any resistance and even wanted to play afterward (he got a case of the zoomies). I believe this highlights how kind-hearted and unique Paul was as a person; every animal and person who met him just knew he was special."

"I knew Paul in high school, initially only through mutual friends, but eventually through the Science and Engineering Team and AP Physics/AP Stats. One of my most distinct memories of Paul is from senior year [at Berkeley]. I was trying to finish a problem set in Hesse Hall, but I saw him walk by, and we ended up chatting for more than an hour. These types of unplanned hangouts always lifted my spirits in times of stress. I was applying to grad school at the time, and we chatted about research, about possible career paths, and about how much he loved school. Afterwards, he sent me a text about how much he had enjoyed our conversation, how it made him want to become a professor. His attitude about it was so refreshing, and it reassured me that I was making the right decision. I think he changed his mind a few more times after our chat, but he approached every opportunity with complete eagerness. Paul’s eagerness helped me through a lot of important life decisions, and I am sure that I am sure that I am not the only person who was energized by it."

"The first time I met Paul, I was in middle school selling Girl Scout cookies door-to-door with my mom in our neighborhood, and his mom opened one of those doors. Paul joined us a few minutes later, and as Chinese people, my mom and I were taken aback at how well he spoke Cantonese, since we wouldn’t have guessed based on looks alone. Even though I can’t say our families were that close, he and his mom were always friendly whenever we bumped into them, whether it was at our apartment complex or during high school classes where we collaborated during group projects. While our lives mostly took different paths after graduation, I’ve always admired his intelligence and kindness, and the world is truly a darker place without it."

"Paul was the best kind of friend and life partner anyone could ask for. His kindness and selflessness knew no bounds and he was always there for you whenever you needed him. He was incredibly intelligent and curious; he could have a conversation with anyone he met. His ability to form genuine bonds with people was something I admired about him. He was the emotional support that got me through some of the most challenging moments in my life and he constantly supported me in my career. His love and encouragement never wavered even through moments of hardship in his life. We constantly put each other first and lifted each other up every step of the way. The love we shared was one you can only experience once in a lifetime. The mark he left on my heart, on everyone’s hearts, is one that can never be forgotten."

"Paul was my best friend since we met at college orientation. During our college years, we spent loads of time exploring nature, playing basketball, watching movies, and studying together. In the good times, we celebrated each other's accomplishments. However, in the bad times we leaned on each other. For example, when I had my knee surgery, Paul put his summer plans on hold to live with me and help me recover for about 2 weeks. His selflessness with his friends is something I will never forget and that's what I’d most like him to be remembered for. My favorite memory of Paul was when we went skiing together. It was my first time, so I fell on my way down a steep hill. I couldn't get back up, and Paul noticed from the bottom of the hill. He climbed up the mountain with his skis and helped me stand up. This experience highlighted how Paul always goes the extra mile for his loved ones."

"I met Paul through a Harry Potter course I taught at Berkeley, and we quickly connected over our mutual love of engineering, science, and just being goofy. When we both got into Masters programs at Berkeley we decided to be roommates, and that decision was a significant reason why it was one of the best years of my life. Paul had a great zest for life, and he inspired that enthusiasm in others, something I always admired him for. We talked about science, engineering, stories, and everything under the sun. Paul had a depth of character that was rare to find, and improved the lives of everyone around him. One of my favorite memories with Paul was watching the sunset from our Berkeley apartment and listening to Ratatouille music."

"I was lucky enough to know Paul through every phase of life, from elementary school, all the way through college. I knew him early on mostly through the lens of his achievements -- he was the first person to receive his black belt in martial arts; he had written at least one full book by the end of sixth grade; he regularly placed at high-level science fairs, researching solar panels and superconductors while the rest of us where struggling to mix baking soda and vinegar in the appropriate quantities. He was so obviously bright and intelligent that he kind of had nothing to prove -- which made him really approachable. He was infectiously curious. And he was all these things all the way through -- but he surprised those who knew him from his nerdier elementary school days by unexpectedly becoming really... cool. Suddenly he was breakdancing at middle school dances, and fixing motorcycles, and effortlessly running one of the largest clubs in high school. He was friendly and earnest, and seemed to get along with just about everyone. In college I met multiple people who seemed impressed that I knew him (you know Paul Dennig?? I love that guy!) and our circles continued to intersect pleasantly throughout our time at school, with fond conversations at social events and quiet hours spent in the library. I really looked up to Paul. He always seemed a few steps ahead of me, always a little more driven, a little more capable, and where in others that kind of achievement might’ve turned to arrogance, Paul was instead perpetually humble, gracious, gentle, and kind. I spoke with a friend, who had also known Paul in elementary school, who said, 'we all kind of grew up thinking that Paul was going to save the world.' I think the world will miss him dearly, as will I, for his extraordinary talents, his big brain, and bigger heart. "

"Paul was one of those people it was quite simply impossible not to like. I spent many years bumping into him on campus, in Los Altos and in Berkeley, and I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that he seemed to be friends with literally everyone — if we ever stopped to chat for a minute or two, at least one other person would walk by and say 'hi Paul' or stop to ask him if he was still going to so-and-so’s thing at such-and-such a time. While I can’t say I knew Paul as well as most of the people who’d stop to say hi to him (and I was definitely never going to so-and-so’s thing at such-and-such a time), he never made our moments of catching up feel any less important than anything else that was going on in his life. I think that makes it abundantly obvious that Paul was not just a good friend but a really good person, one of those people it is quite simply impossible not to miss."

"Paul and I met on a visit to Autodesk, where we were excited to meet each other and speak Cantonese being multiracial. His drive, compassion and charisma are always with me in my heart and the world has truly lost someone so meaningful with so much potential impact. I will do my best to make what he wanted come true."

"Paul invited me to go for a 'moody jog' in his neighborhood to see his 'favorite spot on Earth'... there’s a section of sidewalk where trees are reaching over from either side, forming a shimmering green tunnel along the sidewalk. 'Look!' he goes. 'How cool is this!' He runs ahead, through the tunnel of trees, and I follow, the dappled light all around me. Then he turns around, grinning, and we run back through it again, beaming at this tiny slice of beauty in the middle of the neighborhood. That’s one of the things I appreciate most about Paul: the way he found magic everywhere in the world, and made it his mission to share that magic with others. He had such unabashed exuberance. We caught up a few times while at Berkeley, and it’s clear that he continued to spread his brilliant, joyful passion for life everywhere he went. What a special human. He is intensely missed."

"I met Paul in elementary school, I don't remember the exact moment or time in which that occurred but within meeting him I immediately became aware of his social intelligence, his ability to be the light in any situation. Reading everyone else's entries in these slides has been wonderful and really makes me aware of how humble this man truly was. I didn't know much about his accomplishments but I was very aware at how intelligent he always was. I'm grateful for his abilities to shine for others because I know that when I would bump into him in high school. I could be in whatever mood and seeing Paul or even conversating with Paul always brightened my day. I am really Going to miss Paul and I'm grateful for having met him. Paul and I were pals in elementary. Even when we were young, I always knew Paul was different. I knew one day he was going to do something big for the betterment of the world. Just by the gleam in his eye. One thing I remember about Paul was that his laugh was so contagious that if I heard it from a distance; I started busting up laughing. I also admired Paul. He was very talented. He didn’t like to share this, but Paul was a 4th degree black belt and either bi or tri-lingual. He was special. I called my dude Bruce Lee. At any rate, I have faith in our class that we’ll continue Paul’s vision in our own ways. Hope all's well. Peace"