Gordon Bruce Kuenster

1933 - 2014

Gordon Bruce Kuenster

Gordon Bruce Kuenster passed away peacefully at home in Medina on April 28th. Diane, his wife of 39 years was by his side. Gordon was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 9, 1933. He was graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Gordon co-founded his first company, Pacific Electrodynamics, Inc. at the age of 33 and in 1972, when he was General Manager at Eldec Corporation, he founded The Power Supply Division. In 1977, he became President and CEO of Advanced Technology Labs (ATL) and founded ATL's ultra sound scanner business and within three years brought it to be the leading market share. He negotiated the sale of ATL to Squibb Corporation, and became Squibb's Group Vice President and a Director. In 1983, he founded and was CEO of Seattle Silicon Inc. and in that same year co-founded and became the CEO of Rainbow Peripherals (now ATEQ). In 1988, as Director of Biotope, Inc., he participated in the planning of an automatic system for performing chemical and immuno assays for the diagnosis of disease. In 1991, he co-founded and served as CEO of NeoPath, Inc. and later served as CEO of Seattle Sight Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of applications of specific high resolution computer displays.

He also founded and served as CEO of Virtual Vision Inc. and Virtual Image Displays Inc., companies that manufactured virtual-reality display devices. In the last ten years of his career, he worked in England developing medical technology companies and held multiple patents.

In addition to his major contributions to the growth of the high technology industry, Gordon served on the Board of Directors of the Washington Technology Center and chaired the Technology Transfer Committee. He was a past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Pacific Science Center and was a past member of the Board of Trustees for the Seattle Symphony and the Cornish School of the Arts. In 1991, he was the recipient of the American Electronics Association Distinguished Service Award. He was a long-time member of the Seattle Yacht Club, Rainier Club and Bellevue Club.

Gordon was a true renaissance man. For over 30 years, he and his wife enjoyed navigating the spectacular waters of the Pacific Northwest aboard the Lady Diane. He also spent many happy days on ski slopes and golf courses around the world. He was an adventurous traveler and through business and leisure saw most of the world. His kind manner and respect toward all made him well loved by those who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be sorely missed by his numerous friends and acquaintances of all ages.

He follows his younger brother, Gary, who passed away earlier this year. He is survived by his wife Diane, and siblings Virginia Kuenster of Seattle and Walter Kuenster of Chicago and by his five children, Chris, Mark, Lea, Eric, and Kathleen and seven grandchildren, Amanda, Gordon, Owen, Caroline, Jane, Katherine and Adam.

A memorial service will be held May 30, 2014 at 3 p.m. at The Rainier Club, 820 4th Ave. Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Pacific Science Center, 200 2nd Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109.