Albert A. Gunkler

Albert A. Gunkler, 86, of Midland passed away Friday January 14, 2011. He was born May 13, 1924, to late the Carl and Bertha (Niebergall) Gunkler in Ft Wayne, Indiana, where he spent his childhood. He graduated from North Side High School as the salutatorian of the 1942 class, also playing varsity football and basketball.

After one semester at Kalamazoo College, AI enlisted in the Army Air Corps and went to basic training in February of 1943. He married Caroline Waterfall, his high school sweetheart, on May 19, 1944 before shipping off to the South Pacific where he served as a navigator on B-25 bombers during World War II. During that time, he had a notable experience of crash landing in unoccupied China and spent a month there before he was able to return to duty. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received on an earlier mission.

Upon returning to civilian life, he entered Purdue University and graduated in 1948 with distinction, an elected member of Tau Beta Pi. He went on to earn his Ph.D in chemical engineering one and a half years later in 1951, although he started work for the Dow Chemical Co. in December of 1950. He started as a research engineer in bromine production, which led to the formation of the Halogen Research Department, and finally assigned as Technical Director of Inorganic Research in the Midland Division. He left Research to manage Process Engineering and was the Chief Process Engineer for the Division for some years. Later he was named to the Operating Board of the Western Division and moved to Walnut Creek, CA. He retired from Dow in 1980 and had a successful consulting career before his retirement in the early 90's.

Al was active in the Midland Jaycees in the early 1950's and served as president in 1956. He was also a founding member of the Kiwassee chapter of Kiwanis and was a member until he moved to California. He was president of the Lake Louise Horner Island Association and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Midland, serving for many years on the finance committee.

Al was energetic all his life and enjoyed any sport with a ball. He was an active member of the Midland Tennis Center, playing both singles and doubles tournaments throughout his life. He especially loved telling people he won tournaments when no one else competed in his age category. Anyone who met AI knew his sense of humor and felt especially privileged if mentioned in his often laugh-out-Ioud annual Christmas letter. Al enjoyed his and Caroline's five children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was hearing the grandchildren say that the Lake Louise cottage, built in 1968, was their favorite place to be. This past year, he was awed and humbled by grandson Ryan who officially changed his name to Ryan Albert Rudolf Kern to honor his grandfathers.

Al is survived by Caroline, his cherished wife and partner of 66 years; son, John (Carolyn) Gunkler of Sarasota, Florida; daughters, Jan (Jim) Kern of Arlington, Texas, Lynn (Brian) Hoffmann of Boise, Idaho, Pam (Wally Mateusiak) Gunkler of Midland; grandchildren, Jason (Jami) Kern of Ft. Worth, Texas, Geoff Gunkler of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Ryan (Jenny) Kern of Denver, Colorado, Emily (Marcus) Paslay of Frisco, Colorado, Chase Mateusiak of Midland, Anne Hoffmann of Seattle, Washington, Wesley Mateusiak of Midland, Sarah Hoffmann of Boise, Idaho; great grandchildren, Dawson and Aspen. In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Todd Gunkler and brothers, Carl A. and Otto Gunkler.

Funeral services will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday January 19, 2011 at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Charles Keyworth will officiate. Family will receive friends at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home 4210 N. Saginaw Rd on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be offered to Albert A. Gunkler Scholarship Fund to be estabish through the Midland Area Community Foundation. Personal messages of condolence may be offered to the family at www.wilson-miller.com