Dr. Frederick (Fred) William Kunkel Sr., 87, of Ft. Myers, FL, passed quietly into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, April 9th.

Fred was born August 27, 1938, in Gloversville, NY, to Dr. Robert S. and Martha B. Kunkel. Fred graduated from Mount Union College (now University of Mount Union) in 1960, where he was a member of the college traveling choir and met his future bride, Carolyn Ruth French.

Fred and Carol were married in July 1960 and shared over 65 years together. During that time, they raised three boys and lived in portions of Pennsylvania, Germany, California, Ohio, and finally Ft. Myers.

Fred graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1968, proudly served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1968-1971, completed his medical residency in San Francisco in 1974, and then moved to Ohio to begin his medical practice.

Fred was an accomplished, respected, and loved cardiologist and held practice positions in several hospitals in Youngstown, Ohio, including Southside, Northside, and St. Elizabeth’s, and in Ft. Myers and Cape Coral with Lee Memorial, Gulf Coast, and Cape Coral hospitals. Fred loved his job and enjoyed helping his patients recover and thrive after receiving a usually difficult medical prognosis.

In addition to his wife, Fred is survived by their three sons, Fred Jr. (Diane) Kunkel of Tulsa, OK and their children Josh, Katie (Cory) Kunkel-Foster, and Sean, Andy (Marsha) Kunkel of Winston-Salem, NC and their children Luke (Lily), Eli, and Seth, and Greg (Carrie) Kunkel of Chicago, IL and their children Valerie and Jillian. He is also survived by two older brothers, Dr. Robert “Bob” (Brenda) Kunkel and Dr. Allan “Al” (Debbie) Kunkel, all of Ohio, three great-grandchildren, Grace, John, and James, all of NC, and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends. He was preceded in death by his younger sister Dorothy, who died at age 4, his parents, and his older sister Margaret “Peg” Ploss.

Fred’s work often demanded long hours, many late nights, and early mornings, yet he balanced his time well, and his family enjoyed his kindness, wisdom, and good humor in abundance. When the family was younger, he would often adjust his work schedule to make time for school activities, vacations, family gatherings, ski weekends, and golf outings. In his later years, as life slowed a bit, Fred and Carol enjoyed wonderful vacations that often included some version of extended family. These trips were to national parks such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, Redwoods, and Sequoia, rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, and overseas travel to numerous countries, including especially memorable trips to Ireland and Norway. While he liked to travel, Fred loved home the most and enjoyed his time in Ft. Myers with Carol.

Most of all, Fred was a kind man who had a way of making everyone feel important, accepted, and welcome. While we grieve his absence here, we rejoice and find great comfort in his eternal rest and his reunion with his Savior, his sisters, and his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Fred at a later date in West Virginia, at a beloved family property founded by his grandfather.