Commander Paul Edward Kanive USN (Ret.)

Paul Kanive passed away on August 18th, 2024, in Houston Texas. He was born on February 25, 1944, in Texarkana, Arkansas to the late Robert and Fern (Davidson) Kanive.

Paul was a 1967 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Upon graduation he was commissioned an Ensign reported to the USS GURKE (DD-783) and deployed to the Western Pacific. Returning to the US he commenced flight training and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1968. He completed F-4 transition in Fighter Squadron 121 in 1969. For the next three years he flew with Fighter Squadron 114 and made two extended deployments to the Western Pacific abord USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) flying F-4 Phantoms. In July 1971 between deployments, he married Nancy Ann (Sleeper) Kanive. Together they celebrated 53 years of marriage.

In 1973 he was assigned as NROTC navigation instructor, aide to RADM J.L. Abbot USN, and began graduate studies. He received a Masters Degree (Economics) in 1975 and reported for F-4 refresher training before assignment to Fighter Squadron 151 onboard USS MIDWAY (CV-41) homeported Yokosuka, Japan. Upon completion of two and a half years of forward deployed flying and department head tour he returned home to attend the Armed Forces Staff College. Upon graduation he was assigned economic analyst at OPNAV and designated proven Sub Specialist in Quantitative Economics.

Follow on tours included Professor of Management at the Naval War College and Deputy Director for the International Naval Staff College in Newport, RI. In between War College assignments he served as USCINCEUR Airborne Battle Staff Director at RAF Mildenhall, England.

Commander Kanive accumulated more than 3000 flight hours, and 720 carrier arrested landings. He flew 309 combat missions in the Vietnam conflict and received two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, four individual and twenty strike/flight awards of the Air Medal and various campaign, service medals and distinguishing devices.

Retired from active duty in 1991 he was employed by United Airlines Flight Center in Denver, Colorado as a Fleet Technical Instructor for the B 737 and initial cadre for introduction and operation of the newly acquired B 777. Retired from United in 2005 and relocated to Houston, Texas to enjoy time with grandchildren, support Nancy's competitive American Saddlebred equestrian efforts and sail Galveston Bay in WILD OATS his Cape Dory 27.

In addition to his beloved wife Nancy, Paul is survived by daughter Kelly Stoltz of Houston, son Paul Jr of Bozeman, Montana and five very special grandchildren: Ben Stoltz, Brooke Stoltz, Mark Stoltz, Danielle Heidt, and Roan Kanive.