From an early age, Paul knew he was meant to be a physician. In kindergarten, when asked to color a picture of a cupcake, he refused and declared, “I did not come to school to learn to be a baker. I came to learn to be a doctor.” That determined spirit defined his life—wonderfully stubborn, deeply compassionate, and unwaveringly devoted to his calling.

Paul attended Boston Latin School. In college, he pursued both the arts and medicine, often joking that being a doctor was “the best acting career of my life.”

He practiced pediatric neurology for more than 30 years in Sacramento, California. To him, no child was ever just a diagnosis…always a soul.

Paul loved music and theater, desserts of every kind, and the striking beauty of lapis lazuli, a heavenly blue stone flecked with golden highlights like stars in a night sky. Each piece of lapis is one of a kind, much like the children and families he cared for. He treasured it for its rich color and its symbolic connection to wisdom, truth, and healing. Its depth and quiet strength spoke to his heart.

Paul was a seeker of goodness and of God. He found sacred peace near water, where he felt closest to heaven. He had a personal ritual of reverently approaching each body of water, pausing, reflecting, listening.

On May 1, 1999, his beloved son Nick and our family joined together to become the Chretien/Robinson family, and the adventures began. Our motto quickly became, “We may not have it all together… but together we have it all.” That spirit of imperfect, joyful togetherness defined our home.

He was known by many names: Michael, Mikey, Uncle Mikey, Paul Chretien, Dr. Chretien, PC, Dr. Paul, and Brother Chretien. But the names that brought the brightest sparkle to his eyes were Dad, Papa Paul, and Grandpa. His children and grandchildren were his greatest joy. He was a devoted son, brother, and friend to many. He will be deeply missed.

Paul loved music deeply, especially singing with his wife, Sherrie. Their song, “Homeward Bound,” became an anthem of their life together, a tender song of love, parting, and promised return.

We will be returning to Sacramento for a Celebration of Life, a place where Paul lived so much of his life, gave so much of his heart, and became so many of the “characters” we came to love.

Paul often joked that after graduating as a theater major, his career as a physician was “the best acting career of my life.” In many ways, that became a thread we cherished—the many beautiful “characters” of Paul Michael Chretien.

So that is what we will be celebrating as we gather in Sacramento.

So many of you knew him in your own way…as a friend, a colleague, a fellow physician, a neighbor, a man of God, a musician, someone who could brighten a room simply by walking into it. He was also someone who always, without hesitation, asked for the dessert menu first.

We will celebrate him with a short service, music, dancing, dear friends, and all of his favorite desserts, and we truly mean all of them.

Come prepared to share which “character” of Paul Michael Chretien you knew. We feel so blessed to remember him… and there is so much to remember.

Paul loved genealogy. He found joy in remembering and learning about those who came before him, as if their stories were still gently unfolding into ours. In that same spirit, we invite you to add your memories and stories to this memorial website.

As a small token of love, we will be sharing pieces of lapis lazuli with you—a stone Paul treasured. Its deep blue, flecked with gold like a night sky, reminded him of truth, wisdom, and the quiet beauty of a life well lived.

Many have asked why Paul chose to be buried in Idaho. He was born in Boston, built his life in Sacramento and Folsom, and yet…his heart found its answer elsewhere.

On a long drive to Georgia, as we traveled to be with his 103-year-old mother near the end of her life, I gathered the courage to ask him where he wanted to be laid to rest.

He paused for a moment, thoughtful as always, and then said quietly,
“I want to go home.”

“Where is home?” I asked.

He smiled gently and said,
“Right next to your mom and dad in Idaho Falls.”

And then he added words I will treasure always:
“I love your parents for having you… I feel like Idaho is my home.”