Michael Olof Paulson’s life touched many people around the globe. Born in Sweden, he was an aviator, a historian and an enthusiast, as well as a great friend. After his death in 2022, his friends from around the nation wanted to celebrate his life and honor his wish to give the gift of education, as directed in his will. They searched across the country for an American Indian Tribe to present the gift to. They chose the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. 

Paulson’s friends recently traveled to Pembroke, North Carolina from around the nation to honor his request in his will by giving an endowment gift of $613,276 to the Lumbee Tribe for scholarships. During their trip to the Lumbee Tribe Housing Complex, Paulson’s friends each described what Michael meant to them and how he impacted their lives.

“In 1963, the Delaware CAP (Civil Air Patrol) hosted the Swedish Cadets and Exchange Program and we had eight or 10 cadets come over,” said Ron Redpath in a press release. “The cadets were farmed out to local families and we got Mike. He stayed with us in Delaware for weeks as he visited New York, Washington, D.C., the Dover Air Force Base as he saw this country and he was determined that he would come back, and he did and lived with our parents.”

Michael Olof Paulson returned to the United States to pursue his dreams. As a young man in Sweden, his friends described to the Lumbee Tribal staff how a billboard with palm trees convinced Paulson to decide he wanted to move somewhere warm, so he made Florida his home and pursued the life he always dreamed of. Pat Redpath Roberts shared how Paulson became a commercial airline pilot including being a captain for the Saudi Arabian Airlines and Piedmont. 

Paulson’s life as a pilot also connected him to the Lumbee. As his friends looked at American Indian tribes across the nation to present his gift, one of the key factors that helped them make their decision was an aviation story about Lumbee Hero and pilot Tom Oxendine. The story spotlighted Oxendine as an aviator during World War II and how he was a hero among the Lumbee people. Paulson’s friends said they knew the story was a sign that the Lumbee was the right tribe. 

Paulson’s friends said he loved where he came from in Sweden, but he fell in love with America and what America stands for and he was a proud U.S. citizen. They wanted people to know about his passion. “Michael stayed true to his vision; so, young people, whether it's being an aviator, whether it's a professional, a farmer, or anything that is doing the right thing, it is honest hard work, stay with it because the tools of education and Michael's education and aviation afforded him to seek higher levels and do things,” said Danny Raffield in a press release.

During the visit to Pembroke, Lumbee Tribe Chairman John L. Lowery and the Lumbee Administration team shared with Paulson’s friends how education is an important key stone for the Lumbee People. “Education is a deep part of our culture and our heritage and this gift will continue to allow us to help our students achieve different educational levels,” said Lowery in a press release. “We are so thankful for this partnership.” 

The Michael Olof Paulson Endowment Scholarship will be gifted in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Tribal Chairman Lowery invited Paulson’s friends to return for the scholarship ceremony.