DULUTH — It's difficult to know where to begin when looking at the story of longtime Duluthian Paul Vesterstein. He was influential in businesses and organizations throughout his long life in Duluth until his death on Jan. 15 at 96.
But when his son Marc talks about his father, he starts in 1949 when Paul arrived in Duluth.
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"He came as a 20-year-old boy with nothing but his innate abilities and talents," Marc said. "He had 28 cents in his pocket, hope for an American dream, and he boarded a steamship for America to start a new life. The YMCA gave him his start here in Duluth and provided the foundation, principles, morals and discipline he needed to succeed later on in life."
Paul was born in Otepaa, Estonia, on June 17, 1928, as the youngest of five children. At 15, he joined the Estonian National Guard to fight the Russian Army, which Marc said jumpstarted his love for skiing. Paul and his family had to flee in 1944 after Russia took over Estonia. He ended up in a displaced persons camp in Augsburg, Germany, until a friendship from that camp led to a job offer and a room in Duluth with the YMCA.
While working at the YMCA, Paul attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. Marc said his father would carry an Estonian-to-English dictionary to all his lectures so he could later translate everything he heard throughout the day.
"And yet he graduated in less than three years," Marc said. "While still working full-time at the Y. He was a collegiate skier and a popular guy. That's where he got the nickname 'The Count' or 'Count Vesterstein.'"
After 12 years with the YMCA, Paul opened Continental Ski Shop in 1961, according to a story in the Duluth News Tribune. In 1976, Ski Industries of America named Continental its Midwestern Retailer of the Year. Paul promoted skiing in the region and was influential, with several other ski enthusiasts in Duluth, in making the Spirit Mountain Recreational Center.
"He really wanted to see skiing grow, not only for the city of Duluth but for the sport of skiing," Marc said. "I'd say that came full circle a few years ago when his granddaughter, my niece, skied in the Olympics in Beijing in 2022."
Paul was also involved in a publicity stunt in 1978 when a so-called "Sheikh Saleim Abdul Haddad of Lebanon" skied in the pro-am races at Winter Park, Colorado, while dressed in traditional clothing. In reality, it was Duluth shoe store owner George Haddad. Paul helped Haddad with his plan and one of his ski shop employees served as Haddad's bodyguard armed with a water pistol. A News Tribune story from Feb. 24, 1978, noted that actor Clint Eastwood, another skier in the races, found the whole concept hilarious after the fact.
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"It cause quite a publicity stir across the country," Marc said. "He (Paul) liked to promote Duluth in unique ways."
Paul, with help from his friend and former neighbor Harry Munger, brought Walter Mondale up to Spirit Mountain and, much later in 1991, arranged for newly elected Estonian President Arnold Ruutel to visit Duluth and UMD.
Paul stayed connected with Estonia over the years, hosting regular parties at his home to celebrate Estonia's independence day, while it remained under Soviet control and after it became independent again in 1991.
As a member of the Duluth Rotary Club, Paul organized student trips to Estonia and sponsored interns from the country to visit Duluth to learn about business. He started the Estonian Piano Company in order to support his home country. For his work with Estonia and supporting the Estonian people, President Ruutel awarded Paul the White Cross, the highest honor for service to Estonia.
Marc said that his father always wanted to give back to the organizations and places that helped him with his start. He supported the YMCA, served with the Duluth Rotary Club and Optimist Club and acted as a silent philanthropist for many organizations. He served on the board of directors for the UMD Alumni Association, was UMD's 1993 commencement speaker and received two distinguished alumni awards over 20 years apart.
Paul was also involved in saving the Fitger's complex from demolition and for restoration work at Chester Terrace.
"My father came here, he worked hard, contributed to civic activities because he wanted to change things," Marc said. "He would always say that there is a destiny, but through hard work, discipline and determination, you can nudge destiny."
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Paul was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn and survived by his five children and several grandchildren. His celebration of life will be on Feb. 26 from 2-5 p.m. at Northland Country Club.
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