Family of Duluth Businessman Paul Vesterstein Hopes to Keep His Legacy Alive

Longtime Duluth businessman and leader Paul Vesterstein has died at the age of 96.

DULUTH, Minn. —  “He wanted to change things, and he changed his destiny through hard work, determination and discipline,” Marc Vesterstein, son of Duluth businessman Paul Vesterstein said.

Born in Estonia in 1928, Paul Vesterstein was merely a teenager when he found himself fighting in WWII.

“His parents had been separated from him, and he was forced to defend his country, Estonia, as a very young boy, 15 year old boy. And oftentimes he would go in the woods and go on skis and fight the Russians in skis. And that’s what started his love for skiing,” Marc Vesterstein said.

Marc Vesterstein says his dad carried immense love for his home country. Later in life he organized student trips with the Duluth Rotary club and sponsored interns from Estonia to come to Duluth.

“As a boy, he defended Estonia with his fists, his hands, pure grit and determination. And then later in life, when he came to the United States, he fought back for his country, gave back to his country, but this time, he fought with words and wisdom,” Marc Vesterstein said.

As for his own adventure to the United States, Vesterstein came from a Displaced Person’s Camp in Europe after the war, and was sponsored by the YMCA of Duluth in 1949.

“28 cents in his pocket, hope for an American dream, and he boarded a steamship for America to start a new life,” Marc Vesterstein said.

Eventually Vesterstein found himself at the University of Minnesota Duluth, were he graduated in three years and racked up many skiing awards. During his time at UMD hr was given the nickname “The Count” or “Count Vesterstein.”

“He would take the Estonian American Dictionary to his lectures at UMD so he could translate the content of those lectures,” Marc Vesterstein said.

Vesterstein went on to serve on the Board of Directors of the UMD Alumni Association and received two distinguished alumni awards. After his time at UMD, Vesterstein founded Continental Ski Shop, which was named “retailer of the year” in 1976.

“It was in a little log building on the corner of 13th Avenue East, and he started, started on this while he was still working at the YMCA, this building burned down by a fire, and it eventually moved one block up to its new location,” Marc Vesterstein said.

His love for skiing didn’t stop there, as he played a big part in making Spirit Mountain a reality, alongside other ski notables. Vesterstein even took the very first run done the mountain after its completion.

Vesterstein was involved with many local businesses and organization. Such as reestablishing Fitger’s as a historical building and serving as the CEO until 2006 when his son Scott took over.

“He was a very modest man. He never expected recognition for all of his accolades, or even his contributions. He was somewhat of a silent philanthropist,” Marc Vesterstein said.

Looking back on “The Count’s” many accomplishments, his son Marc says his dad just wanted to give back to the community that took him in.