Arthur Harvey Kuhnz's Obituary
Arthur Harvey Kuhnz (Bunner), age 90, of Oshkosh passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017. He was born on a farm on February 18, 1926 in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, the third son of Arthur and Bessie Kuhnz née Lewis and married the love of his life Beverly (Brownie) Lillian Kuhnz née Malchow on October 30, 1954.
Bunner joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at age 16 in 1942 where he served his country in England as a Crew Chief of a B-17 Bomber reaching the rank of Master Sergeant at the conclusion of WWII. He was awarded the Bronze Star after his aircraft completed sixty consecutive successful missions; his eventual profound loss of hearing was a direct result of "running the engines wide-open all day long." He completed his military service in the Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant in 1959. He was taught to fly by Warren Basler and earned his pilot's license during the time he served in the Army Reserves.
After returning from the war he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) before his 46-year employment at Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC), the final 10 years as Superintendent of Gas Services in Green Bay until his retirement in 1992. He was elected President of the American Gas Association for two terms from 1972 to 1975. He also served as President of the Oshkosh Optimist's Club and Council President at St. John's Lutheran Church, Oshkosh.
Bunner's survivors include his loving wife Brownie, Oshkosh and their five adoring children whom they raised at their home on Liberty Street in Oshkosh: Geoffrey/Gus Kuhnz (Cindy) of Oshkosh, grandchildren Anthony Kuhnz (Shilpi Roy) of Los Angeles and Molly Hicks (Chas) and great grandson Wesley of Lithia, FL; Stephanie Sue Kohler (Doug) of Houston, grandson Christopher Kohler of Houston; Lisa Moore (Clint) of Chesapeake, VA, grandsons Clint Moore of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Hunter Moore of Chesapeake, VA; Christopher Kuhnz of Egg Harbor, WI; and Adam Kuhnz (Trina) of Green Bay. Bunner and Brownie were also blessed with opportunity to finish the raising of two nieces, Adrian/Tootie Gonzalez née Spanbauer (deceased), Lydia Hegler née Spanbauer (Bill) and nephew Robert Spanbauer (Linda). He is also survived by sister-in-law Shirley Rennert (Dutch) of St. Augustine, FL; sister-in-law Betty Jungwirth, of Oshkosh; brother-in-law Merlin Hoernke, of Oshkosh; and brother-in-law Richard Malchow (Marlene), of Oshkosh. Uncle Bunner will also be remembered frequently by scores of nieces and nephews.
Bunner was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Bessie and his older brother Lewis, with whom he enlisted and served during WWII, and oldest brother Charles who paid for his education at the Rose C. Swart Training School.
Bunner's interests included being unselfish, performing random acts of kindness (before it was trendy) and being helpfully accessible to both loved ones and strangers alike; there were hundreds who benefitted from his generosity. He also enjoyed riding the scooters at Festival Foods three times a day, meeting and greeting everyone in the store while he shopped. A kinder and more unassuming man you will never find.
Per Bunner's request there will be a private memorial service prior to the Celebration of Life for friends of the family from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Friday, February 17 at the home of Cindy and Geoffrey/Gus Kuhnz, 4279 Fisk Avenue, Oshkosh, WI.
The family is grateful for the outstanding care provided by Park View Health Center in late 2016, for the kind care by the Affinity VNA and especially for the gracious and generous services provided by the volunteers at the Winchester/Larsen Lion's Club in Bunner's final months. Without them his family would not have been able to enjoy Bunner's company in his final days. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Winchester/Larsen Lion's Club in Bunner's name.
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