Paul S., Akron, Ohio.
(OM, p. 336 in 1st edition.)
He had first met Dr. Bob much earlier. Dr. Bob formed the habit of stopping at his house for coffee after office hours on Tuesday and Thursdays. At first, his topic was honesty, and after several trips he suggested Paul stop kidding himself. Then the topic changed to faith — faith in God.
Though he had stopped drinking, he was unable at first to grasp the spiritual program. He was doubtful, fearful, full of self-pity, afraid to humiliate himself. This lasted until December 11th, when he was faced with the absolute necessity of raising a sum of money. He approached a banker and told him the whole story. He believed his need was money, but the banker told him he knew something of what he was trying to do, and believed he was on the right track. He told Paul that if he were right with God, he would do all he could to help him secure the loan.
Paul had found reality. His needs were met from another entirely unexpected source. He was profoundly grateful for the opportunities he had had of seeing and knowing TRUTH.
In February of 1937 he brought his brother Dick S. (“The Car Smasher”) into the program.
Paul did a lot of 12th step work. He told one prospect, who complained that he had no job, that he indeed had a job — it was to stay sober and work at this program. That is a full-time job by itself. And he is known to have visited Clarence S. (“The Home Brewmeister”) often during his hospital stay.
Paul was close to Dr. Bob and went with him to New York for the Rockefeller dinner on February 8, 1940. And it was Paul who convinced Frank Amos (who was sent to Akron by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., investigate A.A.) that Dr. Bob needed financial help or would have to give up his work with alcoholics. Mr. Amos reported that Paul said it would be criminal to lose Dr. Bob as their leader, and suggested that Mr. Rockefeller confidentially arrange for a monthly remuneration for Dr. Bob for a period of at least two years. Paul also got Dr. Bob’s son, “Smitty,” a job in Cleveland working as a service manager for a tire dealer, after he returned from military service in WW II.
It was Dick S. who was known as The Car Smasher. But, sadly, it was Paul S. who died from a car accident on September 19, 1953. Both brothers remained sober until their deaths.
