Dr. Wayne Kuettel

1924 - 2010

In loving memory of Dr. Wayne D. Kuettel of Palm Desert who died peacefully in his sleep on October 29, 2010. At 86-years-old, Wayne lived a rich and eventful life among family members and friends who adored his lively, optimistic and generous nature. Wayne and his fraternal twin brother Warren were born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin on April 24, 1924 to Frances and Antone Kuettel. At 12-years of age, Wayne started caddying at the local golf course, caught the golf "bug" and played weekly throughout his long life. After a few years at the University of Madison, Wis., he hitchhiked with his friend Bobby Jenkins to California to complete his college education at the University of California Berkley, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, then continued studies there to become an Optometrist. After living in Pasadena, Alhambra and Beverly Hills, Wayne eventually settled in West Covina, California, where he married local florist Nadine Hegarty in 1956 and was a practicing Optometrist for 50 years. Wayne was an active leader in the San Gabriel Valley through Lion's Club, the Braille Institute, Elks Club, the Lark Ellen Home for Boys and many other charitable organizations. He and Nadine moved to Sun City Palm Desert in 1995 and quickly made friends there through the "Sun City Singers" and his docent work at the Coachella Valley History Museum. Wayne is survived by his three sons David Kuettel of San Francisco, Steven Kuettel of Arlington, Massachusetts, and Kevin Kuettel of Long Beach, plus his daughter Karen Jacquelin of Laguna Niguel; daughter-in-law Kristi Kuettel of San Francisco, son-in-law PJ Jacquelin of Laguna Niguel, and grandson Benjamin Kuettel of Arlington, Massachusetts. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM on November 6, 2010 at Forest Lawn Chapel at 69855 East Ramon Road in Cathedral City, CA. Wayne will be interred at Rose Hills Memorial Park of Whittier.
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