Clarence Edwin Kunz

Clarence Edwin Kunz passed away on February 4, 2014 at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center, Dublin, Georgia. He was 93 years of age. The son of Harry A. and Lela M. Kerr Kunz, Clarence was born on March 8, 1920 in Rome Township, Crawford County, Centerville, Pennsylvania. On February 13, 1948, he married Mildred M. Kerr in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Clarence received his elementary and high school education in Titusville, Pennsylvania and vicinity. He attended Pennsylvania State University where he graduated in 1942 with a major in Dairy Manufacturing and a minor in Agricultural Biological Chemistry. While in college, he was President of the Dairy Science Club, the Agricultural Student Council and a member of the All College Cabinet. Clarence later entered the United States Army and served during World War II in the European Theater of Operations where he participated in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, Capture of Bonn, Battle of the Bulge, and Crossing of the Rhine. He was awarded the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster for being wounded twice and the Bronze Star for gallantry in action. After spending almost thirteen months in various military hospitals, he was discharged May 6, 1946 with a Certificate of Disability Discharge. Clarence retired July 1, 1976 from Cornell University's New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York where he served for twenty years as a Chemical Analyst, Administrative Assistant, and business Manager. He co-authored two scientific papers pertaining to the use of stabilizers in frozen fruit pies and canned fruit pie fillings and served on many taste panels evaluating the quality of processed fruits and vegetables. His previous employment included USDA inspector of processed foods purchased by the War Production Board for the armed forces. Later he became head of research and development, as well as a stockholder and director, of the William E. McIntosh Company, Inc., Geneva, New York, a processor of frozen fruits. After retirement the Kunzs lived in Lake Placid, Florida for eighteen years and Ogden, Utah for almost ten years before moving to Macon, Georgia to be near family. While in Geneva, Clarence was active in the First United Methodist Church, serving as treasurer, trustee and lay leader. He was a member of the Geneva City Planning Board and served as its chairman for a short time. He also was treasurer and trustee of the Geneva Free Library. In Lake Placid, he was an elder, trustee and treasurer of the ARP First Presbyterian Church and president of the Tropical Harbor Homeowners' Association. While in Ogden he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a volunteer at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Clarence is survived by two sons, Donald L. (Christine) of Centerville, Ohio and Richard K. (Stephanie) of Macon, Georgia; three grandchildren, Benjamin of Dayton, Ohio, Caroline Ivanov (Philip) of Jackson, Mississippi, and Hawley of Houston, Texas; one step-granddaughter, Shannon Lasowitz (Scott) and step-great-grandson David Lasowitz of Midlothian, Virginia; one brother, Merlin F. Kunz (Dorothy) of Centerville, Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years Mildred, his parents, one sister and one brother. Burial will be held at a later date in Union Cemetery, Titusville, Pennsylvania. Memorials may be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church, 15028 State Highway 89, Titusville, Pennsylvania 16354. Register online at www.hartsmort.com.