Courtland Paul, Landscape Architect, 75

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Courtland Paul, a landscape architect whose work graced communities,
golf courses and theme parks in Southern California and throughout the
world, died January 28, 2003, of congestive heart failure, at his hone
in Sn Juan Capistrano, Californai, at the age of 75.

More than 50 years ago, after quitting a job at a small Pasadena
nursery, Paul founded a landscape architecture firm now called the
Peridian Group. Based in Newport Beach, the company has a roster of
projects including golf courses and hotels from Marina del Rey to
Malaysia and theme parks such as Euro Disney.

A natty dresser who always wore saddle shoes and a bow tie, Paul
landscaped parts of several master-planned communities in Orange
County, Californai, including Rancho Santa Margarita, Californai,
Mission Viejo, California, and Irvine, Californai.

His creative approach to hillside development while designing Newport
Beach's Harbor Ridge community in the late 1970s prompted most
California cities, including Los Angeles, to revise their grading
ordinances.

"Court ... had a profound influence on literally thousands of young
architects and landscape architects during his illustrious career,"
Eli Broad said in a statement last week. Broad, chairman of AIG
SunAmerica Inc. and a prominent Southern California builder and
philanthropist, worked with Paul for 30 years.

Paul's son said his father's ability to sculpt beauty in any setting
made him unique.

"My father could look at a piece of dirt and immediately have a vision
of what would be beautiful," said Sanford Paul of Tustin. "He could
see like an artist."

Born and raised in Pasadena, Courtland Paul graduated from Cal Poly
San Dimas -- then a southern campus of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo --
with a degree in ornamental horticulture. In 1954, he became one of
the state's first licensed landscape architects.

A year later, at 27, he was a founding member of the American
Institute of Landscape Architects and served as its director for five
years. He was later appointed to a four-year term on the state's Board
of Landscape Architects and was also president of the California
Council of Landscape Architects.

The only thing that overrode his love for work was his devotion to
family, said Sanford Paul.

Despite failing health, Paul flew to Illinois in December for the
wedding of one of his granddaughters.

During the reception he led Nadine, his wife of 55 years, to the floor
for the anniversary dance as "Through the Years" by Kenny Rogers
played. Being married the longest, the couple was the last to leave
the floor. By the time the song ended, Paul was weeping.

"Anything involving family had the ability to touch him like nothing
else could," said Sanford Paul.