Obituary of LuVern H. Kunze

LuVern H. “Vern” Kunze, Ph.D. Vern was born to Otto and Marie Kunze on a dairy farm near Alpena, South Dakota, on April 15, 1926, and died at his home in Tumwater, Washington, on October 14, 2011. After graduating from Alpena High School, Vern was drafted into the Army Air Corps at the end of World War II. Following his service, he enrolled at Dakota Wesleyan University to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1950. He and Elsie M. Rickenbach were married August 14, 1950. Vern was employed as a teacher at the High School at Platte, South Dakota, while Elsie accepted a position as a nurse at Platte Community Hospital. After two years, Vern accepted a teaching position at Chadron High School in Chadron, Nebraska. During three summers, Vern earned a Master of Arts Degree from Northern Colorado University and accepted a faculty position at Chadron State College in 1954 as Head of the Public Address and Theatre Program. In 1957, Vern enrolled at the University of Iowa, where he earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Speech/Language Pathology. In 1961, he joined the faculty of the University of Washington as a childhood language specialist. After 12 years at the University of Washington, Vern joined the faculty of Duke University, serving as Director of the Center for Speech and Hearing Disorders in the School of Medicine for 18 years. Upon their retirement from Duke University, Vern and Elsie moved back to the Northwest to live near their children and grandchildren. Both of them have been active in First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and in Newcomers Club. Vern is pre-deceased by his parents and five brothers. He leaves behind to celebrate his life his beloved wife of 61 years, daughter, Linda (son-in-law, Gordon White); son, Kent (daughter-in-law Susanne Dade); son, Donald; and granddaughters, Alexandra Kunze and Claire White. A Memorial Service celebrating Vern’s life will be held at First Christian Church at 701 Franklin Street SE, Olympia, WA on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to First Christian Church or Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice. Please leave memories of Vern and condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.