Michael G. Kuntz's Obituary
Michael “Mike” Gregory Kuntz
There's neither mountain high enough, nor trail long enough for Michael G. Kuntz who was suddenly and unexpectedly taken away from us on January 23, 2016 at St. Clare Hospital in Lakewood, Washington at the age of 68. He was born on October 21, 1947 in Dover, Ohio to Roy and Mary Jane (Eberhart) Kuntz. He graduated from Strasberg Franklin High School in 1965; Case-Western Reserve University in 1969; and obtained his Master’s degree in 1972 from the University of Toledo.
Mike's sense of adventure took him through Europe, the Middle East, India, Australia, and New Zealand. He was employed as a geologist in the Middle East; Nova Scotia; Gillette, Wyoming; Lakewood, Colorado; Olympia, Washington and finally settled in Lakewood, Washington where he lived for over 28 years. Mike retired from the State of Washington, Dept. of Ecology as a Hydro Geologist on June 30, 2015.
An active member of the Tacoma Mountaineers, he loved the outdoors. Mike met Lynne on a Mountaineer hike on Mt. Rainier. Always full of humor, he put a rock in her pack and followed up with a happy clown joke. He did lots of triathlons and bike races including the STP (Seattle to Portland) in one day several times. Mike proudly finished the Iron Man Triathlon in Penticton, British Columbia and The World's Toughest in Lake Tahoe, placing 2nd in his age group. He and Lynne enjoyed many activities with their friends in the Tacoma Mountaineers and married on October 2, 1993.
Mike loved being a father and teaching Amy and Aaron. He coached several of their YMCA, Lakewood Recreation, and soccer club and school teams. Always taking pictures, he was proud of his children's accomplishments. He very enthusiastically helped with their science projects, loved camping, hiking, and other family adventures. Mike's passion was also gardening, home projects, feeding the birds- (not the squirrels), writing novels, composing the Kuntz family Christmas letter and singing in the choir at St. John Bosco Church. He never lost his will for adventure and desire to visit every National Park.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Roy and Mary Jane (Eberhart) Kuntz.
Mike's humor and creativity will be sorely missed by all except the squirrels and buffalos of Yellowstone. He is survived by Lynne Kuntz and their children; daughter, Amy Kuntz; son, Aaron Kuntz; brother Murphy Kuntz of Strasberg, Ohio, and Marley the family's yellow lab.
A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, February 5, 2016 at 1:00pm at St. John Bosco Catholic Church; 10508 112th St. SW, Lakewood, WA with a reception following the service.
The family extends their thanks to the doctors and staff at St. Clare Hospital for their help.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in Michael’s name may be made to the Washington State National Park Fund www.wnpf.org
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