Ralph Teis Kunze

Ralph T. Kunze, 79, of Owensboro, died Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. Born in Owensboro, the son of the late Edward R. and Martha Teis Kunze, he was a graduate of Owensboro High School and attended Vanderbilt University, leaving to serve in World War II with the U.S. Navy on the Admiralty Islands of the South Pacific. Following his discharge, he graduated from Bowling Green Business University then joined his father in the clothing firm of We-3 Moseley and Kunze, with which he was associated for almost 30 years. Mr. Kunze served on the Owensboro Board of Education, leaving to become manager of the Owensboro Public Schools Federal Credit Union until his retirement. He then headed the 55 Plus program at the former Central Bank and Trust Company. He was a member of the Owensboro Rotary Club for more than forty years, served on the boards of the Boulware Center and the former Community Chest and Welfare Leagues, was a member and past secretary of The Investigators, and was Mason and member of the former High 12 Club. A lifelong active member of Zion United Church of Christ, he taught Sunday school for more than 50 years and served in every leadership capacity. Ralph took delight in the projects, activities, and interests of his four grandchildren. Along with his love for travel, he actively pursued golf, wood carving, reading, writing, and enjoyed his association with Browns Valley Vineyard. A student and avid follower of politics, Mr. Kunze had been actively involved in all three campaigns of his son Bruce.

Extant are his wife of 56 years, Lucy Hoover Kunze; his sons and their wives, Bruce and Susie Kunze of Utica, and Brian and Cindy Kunze of Brentwood, TN; his daughter and her husband, Janet and Ted Munger of Dallas; and his grandchildren, Nathan and his wife Lyndsey Kunze, Erin Kunze, Joshua Kunze, and Clay Kunze.

Services are at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Zion United Church of Christ, where friends may visit with the family in the fellowship hall from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to The Boulware Center, The Memorial Fund of Zion United Church of Christ, or The American Cancer Society.