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

Obituary: Kunzman, Robert Leslie

KUNZMAN, Robert Leslie Robert Leslie “Bob” Kunzman, age 91, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2013 at North Central Care Center in Spokane.

Bob was born June 12, 1922 in Bellingham, WA, to parents Carl and Marie Kunzman.

He graduated from Meridian High School in 1940, and in October 1942 he entered the Army Air Corps as a Radar Officer.

In 1944 he went into flight training and became a pilot.

Bob was a WWII and Korean War veteran and received many awards including the Korean Service Medal and WWII Victory Medal.

His years in the service took him to New Guinea, The Philippines, and Japan.

His military service was completed in 1957.

In 1947 he married Betty Jean Waddell and they had two daughters, Candi and Coni.

In 1961 the family moved to Spokane where his work included Director of Corporate Sales at PlayFair Race Course, and also lumber mill owner and manager.

He was very active in the community, especially the Lewis and Clark High School PTA, Wishing Star Foundation, and Gyro Club of Spokane, as well as organizing many community events.

Bob’s wife Betty passed away in Spokane in 1995.

In 1997, he met Erma Pollock, also of Spokane.

He and Erma shared a wonderful life together, living part time in Yuma, AZ where they enjoyed golfing in their earlier years, as well as traveling and entertaining their many friends.

They spent their summers together at Priest Lake.

He loved tending to the many chores around the cabin, cutting and splitting wood for the fire, feeding the various critters that made their homes nearby, boating, or just sitting around the fire with family and friends.

Bob is survived by his loving and devoted companion of 16 years, Erma Pollock, daughter and son-in-law, Candace and Robert Bialon of Cloverdale, CA, sister Trudy Peters-Zwink of Lynden, WA, two granddaughters, Emily Rodman of Everett, WA and Shannon Hagel of Richland, WA, grandson Brian Hughes of Lakewood, WA, and one great-grandson, Damen Hagel of Richland, WA.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Betty, one brother, Milton, a daughter, Coni Wright, and a grandson, Paul Hughes.

No services to be held at this time.

The family will hold a memorial at Priest Lake at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the Spokane Chapter of the Wishing Star Foundation, or a one-time donation may be made in his name to The Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY Spokane, WA assisted the family.

Online guest book at www.riplingers.com