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Richard Kunes Obituary

RICHARD GILBERT KUNES

Born February 19, 1959, in Encino, CA, passed away Saturday, September 29, 2012, in Arcata, CA. Ric is survived by his two daughters, Madeline and Cassandra Kunes; ex wife, Diane Bales; mother, Helen Kunes; siblings, Rindy Dahlin, Tim Kunes, Anne Jones and Julie Kunes; nieces and nephews, Denny Dahlin, Jessica Duarte, Alex Eades, Marissa Kunes, Hannah Kunes, Rachel and Wayne Jones. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Gene Kunes.

Ric graduated from Chatsworth High School, class of 76, and after moving to Eureka, CA, attended College of the Redwoods, earned his Associate Degree in Forestry. Ric spent the last 35 years of his life in Arcata, CA, working as a forester for Pacific Lumber Company in Scotia, CA. He loved his line of work especially being in the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, backpacker, fisherman, and loved rafting on the Trinity River and being near the ocean. His interest in archeology was sparked after discovering ancient Native American ruins while working in the Redwoods. His family would always look forward to his visits to the San Fernando Valley, West Hills, throughout the years. He would bring his chain saw and tools and work around the yard. He was always there to help around the house and like his father, was never one to sit down for very long. If you weren't careful he would throw you in the pool. He was so very proud of his two daughters, Maddie and Cassie, and cherished every moment with them.

When you find yourself walking on the beach or hiking through the woods, think of Ric because he is near. We will miss him always and forever. We love you Ric.

Published by Los Angeles Daily News on Oct. 7, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Kunes

Not sure what to say?





Still missing old buddy. wish you were going packing with me in the summer of 2023

darrell martin

October 1, 2022

It's been a few years now brother. I have been back packing several times now without you, and miss you and my brother every time I am in the wilderness. Still packing @ 62 years old, and now enjoying it with my daughters and grand daughter. peace out friend and see you again some day.

Darrell Martin

December 15, 2021

Ricky Tricky Star
I love you so much. Good job being so awesome! Thank you for being my brother, for taking me on adventures, for playing tricks on me when we were younger, for your kindness, your fun stories, for
making all of us laugh til our sides hurt, and for being always so kind. Yes you were (are) loved and yes you are missed. You left when you were still young and good looking! Been 4 years now...your smile is still in my heart and mind. It will always be there. You are with mom and dad and that gives me comfort. Oh ya, our brother Jesus too- which must be pretty spectacular?! Stay near me, but stay closer to Rindy. She misses you so much. It's not so fun without you. Definitely a huge gaping hole in our lives without our brother Ric.
I came across a pic from 1982 where you photo bombed me and my friends...before there was even a name for it --hehe there you were in the background all bugeyed acting all nonchalant....
so silly

Anniebananie with the big fat fanny

Anne Kunes

Sister

November 30, 2016

Been thinking about you Ric. Going deer hunting this weekend in Wyoming. Wish you were going too. Miss you, your friend Darrell

September 30, 2013

I had the best times backing with Rick and i will always remember his kindness and great attitude he will be missed

Richard Beaudin

September 29, 2013

I miss you Ric , your sister

Julie Kunes

November 23, 2012

I was in shock today when i tried to look up Ric on facebook and couldnt fine it. typed his name in google and his name popped up in the obits. Ric was my first boyfriend, and we had a blast in Jr. high and all thru high school. The picture i see is the man i remember...REST IN PEACE

CINDY POWELL

November 5, 2012

Darrell Martin

October 24, 2012

Darrell Martin

October 24, 2012

Darrell Martin

October 24, 2012

“Go big or go home.” I remember seeing this poster at Ric's desk that said that, and think of Ric every time I'm out doing something big. Thanks for the motivation Ric.

Rob Rutland

October 24, 2012

The man was the coolest man ever worker with. Short with words, and sharp in wit. He had that smile that let you know that he knew more than he was letting on. If you found an archeological site on PL ground, he had been there before you. His leaving was a loss to us all. Thanks for the time you gave us Ric.

Michael Duffy

October 22, 2012

I met Ric while working as a Forester for SCOPAC in 1999. Ric was someone I looked up to and respected very much. He was an outdoorsman and avid hunter. He loved being in the woods. Ric was everything good a Forester should be. You will be missed very much.

Don Schroeder

October 22, 2012

October 19, 2012

Thank you Ric for my beautiful granddaughters, Maddie and Cassie. I am so proud of them. I am sure you were too.

MaryEllen Bales

October 19, 2012

Ric was one of my boys at Palco/SCOPAC and I loved him like family. He was such a calm, quiet kind of guy with never a bad word to say about anyone. Truly one of a kind. Hes will be missed by many and never forgotten. Remember when you are looking down on us Ric, you are in our hearts forever.
Queen Ann

Ann Tucker

October 18, 2012

Hey Ric,

I'm going to miss you man. Was walking around in the woods the other day when I heard the news. I was surveying around for some arch sites and found some good stuff. Thanks for the help.
We'll see you around.

Roger Petersen

October 18, 2012

I always counted Ric as a good friend, a good man, and I trusted him. He was one of those capable & competent guys who could be relied on in any situation. Ric was solid that way. I too shared the river, the woods, and the trails with Ric, and the things I learned from him during those times, I now pass on to my children and friends. I feel priveledged to have known Ric, and I am sad that he left us so young. I miss him, and I am grateful for the excellent memories I will carry with me always. Thanks Ric.

Todd Flackus

October 17, 2012

Ric and I worked together at The Pacific Lumber Company as foresters. I hunted with him through the years and tried to get him to surf, but Ric's thing was the rafting on the local rivers. He introduced many to the river on his raft. One time I ran into Ric at Mount Shasta and it was raining and the snow was wet, but I had bought a ski pass and he had done the same so we skied the day in the rain with all the other hardy few and had a blast. He was a good snowboarder when he went to the mountain and never seemed to fall. If it was anything to do with the outdoors he was keen to get involved. He will be missed.

Barry Dobosh

October 17, 2012

Ric was a salt of the earth kind of guy, the genuine article. He was always great at getting along with all people, especially in the workplace and people liked being around him. He was the kind of guy that created a lot of memorable moments people will remember. After working with him for about 14 years and having more than a few recreational outings with him, I have many stories to recall. My favorite one was back in 1983, when we both worked for the USFS that summer in Willow Creek. CA. We both would commute to work each day from Salyer, several miles away. One day, instead of driving to work down Hwy 299, Ric insisted we take a raft trip and float to work down the Trinity River to Willow Creek. So, we woke up early, met at the Salyer Bridge and floated down the river to the take out spot across the Hwy from the USFS Ranger Station where we worked. We pulled the raft from the river and ran across the Hwy with the raft over our heads and into the compound arriving to work on-time.

Adam Wyman

October 17, 2012

I worked with Ric at Scotia Pacific. He was a quiet, reliable, dedicated forester for the company, and had a sharp wit. He truly was one of the "good" guys. I was very saddened to hear of his passing; he will be missed. If there are rapids and whitewater in the beyond, you know he is having a ball riding them.

Domenic Bongio

October 17, 2012

I went to college with Rick and worked with him at PALCO. He will always be remember.

Bruce Beck

October 17, 2012

I met Ric in 1991 when I first came to work at Pacific Lumber and he hiked my butt off all over the forest looking for spotted owls. He was a good friend for over 20 years...I will miss him.

Sal Chinnici

October 17, 2012

I first met Ric in 1992 as a young young forestry aid. He was my mentor that year. Later I worked as the wildlife biologist. I always knew that Ric's work did not require my scrutiny...It was iron clad.

More than that Ric fostered my interests in archeology...and as a hunter. I hunted many times with him in the 'Peaks' and at the Patmore Ranch. I was always amazed at his success.

I heard of his passing through the old PALCO chain of friends. Even tonight I cry as I right this...we loose so many people that are the salt of the earth...Ric was a friend, a coworker, and a brother.

It is true, you can never go back!

Dan Dill

Daniel Dill

October 16, 2012

Darrell Martin

October 15, 2012

Darrell Martin

October 15, 2012

I will tell you that I always enjoyed being around Ric. I remember our last back packing trip in the Sawtooth wilderness, Idaho where Ric sprained his ankle real bad!! I just happened to bring an Ankle brace and put it in my back pack! Talk about a miracle! After a day of rest we got back on the trail and Ric was a real trooper with a 60 or 70 LB pack on. It rained on us for 5 straight days but we had the biggest camp fires EVER at about 20 foot high. You could dry out from 20 feet away.
Anyway, I will miss that guy, I wish him his family and his friends the very best and ask God to comfort all in this time.

Sincerely, Curtis

curtis vernon

October 13, 2012

One of my favorite memories of Ric is when he was coerced into wearing a bunny suit one Easter. Ric was a good sport and made a mysterious bunny appearance on the deck of their house. Maddie later found one pink bunny "boot" in the garage and tried to call him out on being the bunny. He was all smiles, but kept the secret.

Ric was a good guy. We are all going to miss him. Much love to his relatives and extended family.

Wendy Day

October 11, 2012

Ric, I will really miss you a lot. Back packing will never be the same for me without you. I do look forward to more back packing every year, and I will be think of you when I am in the back country.

your friend Darrell Martin

October 11, 2012

Ric was a good friend, I will miss him very, very,much, Mike Martin.

October 10, 2012

Our whole extended family has been sad to hear of Ric's passing. We all use to have so much fun rafting and camping with Ric and Diane, Whitney the dog, all of the kids. Ric has a special place in all of our hearts.

Becky and Bruce Bayside, CA

Rebecca Stamos

October 9, 2012

I can't describe how sad we are to lose Ric at such a young age. He truly will be missed by his family, friends and fellow foresters.

Diane Bales

October 8, 2012

It is always sad to say goodbye to those who are thought of and loved so much. The girls said they always had fun when you were around and those memories will be carried with them. Especially our trip down the river with you was the best. We wish you much peace, love and rest in the hands of the lord. God bless you always, Lori, Marissa and Hannah

October 7, 2012

Im going to miss you Ric. I will always remember our last rafting trip together and our hikes in the forest. Love, your brother Tim

Tim Kunes

October 7, 2012

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