Agriculture community mourns loss of noted Texas A&M educator, scientist
Contact(s): Contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Services for Kunkel, who served as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from 1967-1988, and associate director and director of Texas AgriLife Research from 1962-1972, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday. They will be at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at 1200 Foxfire Drive in College Station.
In these top administrative positions, Kunkel established Texas A&M's Agricultural Research and Extension Centers in 11 locations around the state. This achievement helped focus Texas A&M's agricultural expertise on addressing agricultural and natural resources problems in practically every Texas region.
Kunkel returned to the classroom in 1988, after serving 20 years as the nation's longest-tenured dean of agriculture. Then-Texas A&M president Dr. Frank Vandiver praised Kunkel's role in making the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences nationally prominent.
"Many of our agricultural programs are pre-eminent in their particualr fields, and the college overall ranks among the very best," Vandiver said. Under Kunkel's leadership, academic programs were expanded to include degrees in forestry, nutritional sciences and genetics, and the departments of forest science and horticultural sciences were established.
Kunkel earned his bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry and his master’s degree in biochemistry and nutrition from Texas A&M. He received his doctorate in biochemistry from Cornell University.
He taught courses in principles of animal nutrition, general biochemistry, biochemical genetics, enzymes, large animal nutrition, food and humanity, and issues in animal agriculture.
Kunkel’s early research interest focused on the role of magnesium in animal nutrition, urinary calculi, ruminal development and carbohydrate metabolism, and the basis for genetically variable growth in animals. His latest interests included the human nutrition-agriculture interface, the missions of science and education for agriculture and curricular reform.
“We deeply mourn the passing of a great educator, scientist and administrator,” said Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences for the Texas A&M University System. “For 40 years, Dr. Kunkel had a major influence in helping find new discoveries relating to animal and human nutrition. His teaching roles had a great impact on students here in the college. His presence here for many years well beyond his retirement will leave a lasting memory.”
He was a member of numerous professional societies and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Animal Science.
After his early graduation from Texas A&M, Class of 1943, he served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II and in the postwar occupation of Japan. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves until he retired as lieutenant colonel in 1982.
Kunkel was preceded in death by his son, Geoffrey Kunkel, of College Station, and his parents, Hugo and Matilda Kunkel, of Olney. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Beverly; daughters Virginia Kunkel of College Station and Sheryl Kunkel Stolte of College Station; and grandsons Geoffrey Stolte of McKinney, Texas, and Zackary Stolte of College Station.
The family requests that donations in honor of Dr. Kunkel be made to The Geoffrey and James Kunkel Scholarship Fund, in care of the Texas A&M Foundation. Gifts should be made payable to Geoffrey and James Kunkel Memorial Scholarship Fund (33012). The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Checks should be mailed to Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 77840-2811. Please include a note indicating that the gift is in memory of Dr. H. O. (Harry) Kunkel.
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