Rear Admiral Kurt L. Kunkel

31 July 1960 – 28 September 2011 Navy Rear Admiral Kurt Kunkel, commander of Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Ft. Belvoir, VA, passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 28th after an 11-month battle with brain cancer. He was 51. A native of Warner Robins, GA, RDML Kunkel graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 and earned a Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, in 1992. He was a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College (Newport, RI), the Joint Forces Staff College (Norfolk, VA), and completed the Columbia University Graduate School of Business Senior Executive Program. RDML Kunkel served afloat Supply Officer tours in Fighter Squadron 102 embarked in USS America (CV 66); the frigate USS McCandless; aircraft carriers USS George Washington and USS Harry S. Truman. His shore assignments included Naval Air Systems Command, Crystal City; Naval Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia, PA.; Supply Center (FISC), Norfolk, VA; U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, VA; U.S. 5th Fleet, Bahrain; The Joint Staff; Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; and as Commander, Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, VA. Kurt was truly one of the good guys. He never met a person he didn’t like, and once you were a friend, you were a friend for life. He was the personification of an officer and a gentleman. Loved by all who knew him, he will be greatly missed by numerous friends all over the world. He leaves to cherish his memory the love of his life, Patti, and the lights of his life, his twin girls, Emma and Sara. He is also survived by his father Lt COL (Ret) W. Roy Kunkel of Warner Robins, GA, two sisters, Karyn Peskosky (Mike) of Charlotte, NC, and Konni Atwood (Ray) of Somersworth, NH. In addition to his immediate family, Rear Admiral Kunkel is survived by his extended family, sisters-in-law, Debra Measel (Rick), Rebecca Paris and Jamie Hay, of Virginia Beach, VA, two brothers-in-law, Jim Ashe (Andrea) and Joel Ashe (Diane) of Orlando, FL, fifteen nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janetta Rose Kunkel, who was there to welcome him home on her birthday. Services for RDML Kunkel will be held on Wednesday, October 19th, 1300 hours at the Ft. Meyers Chapel, Arlington, VA, with full military honor burial at Arlington Cemetery immediately following. Miller Funeral Home in Woodbridge, VA, will be handling arrangements. The Navy Supply Corps Foundation has established a memorial scholarship fund in honor of RDML Kurt Kunkel, SC, USN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Navy Supply Corps Foundation, PO Box 6228, Athens, GA 30604 (annotate “IMO RDML Kunkel); or online: www.usnscf.com/store/storecheckout.aspx?donation=true. RDML Kunkel was an amazing man, an upstanding officer, and a hero to his family. Fair winds and following seas…On-On…Fins Up!