Paul C. Packer was born October 13, 1886, in Salem, Iowa. He taught in rural schools in Henry County, Iowa, from 1905 to 1907. He was principal of the grammar schools in Fort Madison, Iowa, 1910-1913, and held the same position in Iowa City, Iowa, 1913-1917. Mr. Packer earned his BA degree from the State University of Iowa in 1918, and later the same year was appointed director of educational research for the Detroit public schools. From 1919 to 1921, he was assistant superintendent of the Detroit public schools

In 1921 he returned to Iowa City as professor of education at the State University of Iowa. He took his MA from the University of Michigan in 1921 and PhD from Columbia University in 1923. He served as Dean of the College of Education at the State University of Iowa from 1923 until 1946, at which time he became Chancellor of the Oregon state system of higher education. Paul Packer died in Iowa City on August 21, 1964, and was buried in Salem, Iowa.