We lost one of our Treasured Gems with the passing of Paul Aken on September 6th. Paul was one of the best among all of us passionate printers in the APA… a friend, a printer, a collector, a teacher, a mentor and an apostle of all things printing. To have known Paul was to have a very special friend; for those of us fortunate members, that meant decades of friendship, laughs and the wonderful booming sound of Paul’s distinctive voice!

A visit to his Platen Press Museum in Zion, Illinois, is like walking into King Tut’s tomb! Treasures packed into every inch of space, each with a story quickly relayed by Paul. He was a long-standing and proud member of the professional industry group, The Printing House Craftsmen, something we had in common. Paul’s professional career as a very dedicated high school printing shop teacher was evident in how he always gave away his knowledge to so many of our members, especially the younger newbies.

At the family’s request, you can honor Paul with a donation in support of the UW Stout Graphic Communications Program: www.uwstout.edu/support-us-stout-graphic. And if you have a favorite story of Paul, write it on a letterpress postcard and mail it to Irene Aken who attended so many of our Wayzgooses. She would love it!

Paul, you are one Printer’s Devil that will be missed down here but certainly enjoyed in heaven!

— Mark Barbour
2024 APA President