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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Kunkle, Robert

Age 99


KUNKLE,
Robert
(Age 99)

A longtime Pullman resident, passed away on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at the Belle Vista Adult Family Home in Pullman, WA.

Robert was born December 7, 1912 in Holladay, Utah, son of Frank and Margareta (Pardonner) Kunkel.

He received his Bachelors degree from Utah State University, and his PhD from Cornell University in Horticulture.

Robert married Norma Mackay on June 28, 1941.

He was a professor of horticulture at Washington State University for 21 years.

He served as president of the Potato Association of America and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Utah State in 2000.

Robert was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma XI and Alpha Zeta.

Following his retirement from WSU he traveled to numerous countries around the world in Farmer to Farmer assistance programs.

Robert served as an active member of the LDS church throughout his life.

He is survived by his sister Velma Coffeen of Huntsville, AL; his children Douglas Kunkel (Kristen Carlsen); Maeva Wadsworth (Brent); Ralph Kunkel (Noreen Christensen); George Kunkel (Katherine Woolf); Charlotte Wightman (Brad); 26 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren and one great great grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife Norma Mackay Kunkel.

The visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Friday evening November 2nd at the Kimball Funeral Home in Pullman, Washington.

The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Pullman Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1055 NE Orchard St.

Vault interment will follow at the Pullman Cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Boy Scouts of America or to the LDS Humanitarian Fund.

KIMBALL FUNERAL HOME of Pullman is caring for the family.

Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfuneralhome.com