Kurt Gunkel

Rochester: Passed away on Monday, March 12th 2018 at age 82. Predeceased by parents; Franz Gunkel and Josefine (Gawron)(Bimber)(Gunkel) Vahl; brothers, Werner & Herbert Gunkel; sisters, Ursula & Inge Bimber; step-sister, Elizabeth (Vahl) Ott. Survived by former spouse; Helga (Schulte) (Gunkel) Sparmann; daughter, Brunhilde (Gunkel) Bauer; son, Mark (Laura Philipps) Gunkel; grandchildren, Bettina, Mackenzie, Charley; brothers, Heinz & Helmut Gunkel; many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews in Germany as well as here in the US.

Kurt left Schwalmstadt, Germany coming to Rochester NY in 1957 and worked as a carpenter for A.W. Hopeman. Some of his work can still be seen, one place in particular is the inside of The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word on East Avenue. He attended night school to become a draftsman and later became project manager at McConnells Construction Company. That company became HBSS where he became Executive VP, later relocating to King of Prussia, PA. His clients included Fanny Farmer, Macy's, Lord and Taylor, Kaufmann's, Nordstrom, Loehman's, Strawbridge and Clothiers, Sears, and JC Penny's.

He enjoyed canoeing, sailing, fishing, golf and tennis, and he would take time with the family and go camping at Letchworth.

When he retired he moved to Sun City Center, FL enjoying Tennis and Golf. Later he moved back to Rochester to be near his grandchildren.

Many thanks to Grand Vie Caring House, Monroe Community Hospital, and Highland's of Brighton for the expert care given during his last few years dealing with dementia.


Donations in his name can be made to Diabetes Foundation or Alzheimer's Association