We recently lost a longtime supporter and dedicated ambassador to the game with the passing of Paul Bremer in November.
Paul always worked behind-the-scenes and helped transform the Honda Classic into the county’s premier sporting event. He spent eight years as president of the Honda Classic’s board of directors after serving as general chairman of the PGA Senior Championship. He also was on the PGA of America’s Advisory Board.
“Paul was always there to help anyone, anytime, and any place,” said Jack and Barbara Nicklaus. Barbara and son Gary serve as co-chairpersons of the Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc., which operates the Honda Classic.
Paul pictured above left with 2018 Honda Classic Champion Justin Thomas and above right with Honda Classic president Joe Domenico, Executive Director Ken Kennerly and Joe Steranka.
“As President of the Honda Classic Board of Directors for eight years, Paul helped to pave the way for our continual success,” said Honda Classic Executive Director Ken Kennerly. “He meant so much to everyone that had the great fortune to have known him, and always derived tremendous pleasure in helping others.
Paul was born in Queens, N.Y., in 1943 and his life started with heartache — his father died in France while fighting for the U.S. during World War II without his son ever having met him. Paul would later visit the village in France where his dad died.
His family moved to Lake Worth in 1947 and he never left, except to attend college at Stetson. Bremer graduated from Lake Worth High in 1961, Palm Beach State College (where he met his future wife Barbara Frostic) in 1963 and Stetson in 1965.
Paul began a very successful career as an accountant, first for Callaway, Carpenter and May. It became Callaway, Carpenter and Bremer, which was acquired by Ernst & Young, where he eventually became the firm’s managing partner until his retirement in 2000.
Paul worked with more than numbers. With a brilliant mind, he relished working with people, who he was always willing to give support and advice.
“He was a generous giant who solved problems for both friends and foes,” said William M.B. “Bill” Fleming Jr., the longtime president at Palm Beach Atlantic and one of Bremer’s many close friends. “I truly believe Paul Bremer was the most iconic accountant in Palm Beach County. There’s not another accountant who has been as resourceful and as beneficial as Paul. There were so many successful accountants who Paul touched and launched into the business.”
Paul didn’t just provide service in his profession. He also served leadership roles for Palm Beach Atlantic University, the American Heart Association, American WWII Orphans Network, West Palm Beach Library Foundation, Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach, Economic Council of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and Bear Lakes Country Club, where the avid golfer often played.
Fleming and some other close friends surprised him five years ago when they raised money to endow a scholarship in his name at PBA’s Rinker School of Business. That student didn’t just receive a free education, but free advice from a legend.