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Dr. George Woodruff Kunkel, 82, died at his home in Harrisburg on July 31, 2018. Husband to Dr. Barbara Karlheim Kunkel and father to Shelly Jean Kunkel, George was the eldest son of Lewis and Rubye Kunkel. Although born in Philadelphia, George grew up on Front St. in Harrisburg. His family spent weekends and summers at their farm on the banks of Paxton Creek, in the area now know as Colonial Park, where George and his brother Lew were schooled in the art of fly-fishing and hunting by their father, a passionate outdoorsman.
George attended the Katherine Sweeney Day School in Harrisburg and St. Marks School in Southborough, MA. He graduated from Princeton University in 1954, where he majored in biology and wrestled and lettered in heavyweight crew. After receiving his MD from the University of Pennsylvania, George served a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan. He followed that with a two-year stint in the US Public Health Service, where he worked as a surgeon on several Native American reservations in Montana. While off duty, George fished all the major western rivers and hunted birds and big game. He bought and shot clay pigeons by the ton, developing into a crack shot.
In the 1960s, George returned to Harrisburg and founded his Rheumatology practice in the Shipoke neighborhood of Harrisburg, subsequently moving the practice several times and eventually settling on Linglestown Road where he treated countless patients for over half a century. He was renowned for his work ethic, his thoroughness, his erudition, and his profound dislike of paperwork. In 2012, after more than 40 years as a sole practitioner, George formed Capital Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates, LLC. He then entered what he called 'semi-retirement'— working 'only' six days a week.
George served as Medical Director of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Arthritis Foundation for numerous years, and assisted in raising thousands of dollars for arthritis research through the chapter's participation in annual telethon fundraisers. He also conducted a free arthritis clinic at Harrisburg Hospital for several decades.
George loved his patients and he loved practicing medicine and studying the latest medical journals. He was a true scientist, who always stayed current on the latest and best practices in his many fields of interest. He pursued his numerous hobbies with equal passion, seemingly incapable of doing anything on a small scale. An avid horticulturist, at one point George had 12 greenhouses in operation on his property. His immense outdoor garden featured 100 yards of spring onions, "for personal use." His rosebushes, in both outdoor beds and greenhouse pots, were his pride and joy. A zealous gladiator in the art of horticultural warfare, George protected his beloved flowers and vegetables from bugs, deer, and diseases by deploying a fearless combination of chemicals and Rube Goldberg barriers.
George had a restless, inquisitive mind that thrived on new challenges. He loved technology as much as he enjoyed nature; he was an eager and early adopter of the latest electronics and gadgets. He taught himself hydroponic gardening and proudly supplied hydroponic roses for his office and fresh lettuce and tomatoes for Christmas dinners with his extended family. He took up cider making and archery in his late 70s. He spent many summer Sunday afternoons sitting on a bench fishing for bass in his private pond. To ensure success, George liked to cast near the automatic fish feeder.
In addition to his wife and daughter, Dr. Kunkel is survived by his son-in-law, Eric P. Bucher, his nephews Lewis S. Kunkel III (Liza) of Charleston, SC and Bryan D. Whaley of Harrisburg, his nieces Lucy Torndahl (Otto) of Nashville, TN and Eliza Kunkel of Woodstock, NY. He was predeceased by his brother Lewis S. Kunkel, Jr.
George is to be buried in his family's plot in the Harrisburg Cemetery and a celebration of his remarkable life will be held at a future date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home, Harrisburg.
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Dr Kunkel was my Rheumatologist for years, he was the best, a very special person who dramatically improved my quality of life.
William R Collier Jr
May 29, 2023
Today is January 14,2022 .... I remember you [again] today. I remain under your care though you are not here to see me. Miss your way of bringing me up when I was feeling down - how easy it was for you to make me realize ... I do not have any real problems.
Joseph S
Other
January 14, 2022
Oh how I miss you and your unconditional love and support!
Lucy Torndahl
Family
July 30, 2020
I forever will remember Dr. George Kunkle with his unwavering support, kindness, love..
his continued help, support, encouragement, and his true love of giving everything he could. He was a very important person in my life. Never a bad word. Constant support. I know no other person like Dr. George W. Kunkle. He returned calls within half an hour. I was so privileged to know him personally.
Sharon Alvord
January 23, 2020
They don't make Doctor's like you anymore. Hope you have beautiful roses in heaven!
Kelley Mitchell
July 30, 2019
Mr. George Kunkle was a wonderful Doctor. I enjoyed my visits to his office. How many people can say they enjoyed going to see their Doctor? I learned from this man. If I needed to know anything, believe me, He had the answer. Mr. Kunkle took care of his patient's. He truly listened to me when I told him about my health. I even questioned him on his. I told him I don't know what I'd do with out him as my doctor. He said He'd be around for a long time. George Kunkle, I so wish you were still here. I miss my Doctor, his advice, his flower's in his office, his chuckle's and laughter. From what I read you had a wonderful life outside of work. You lived life to it's fullest and didn't waste a moment of life. My sympathy goes out to his family. R.I.P. Mr. G, Kunkle, You are missed.
Mrs Christina Wileman
March 20, 2019
He was a wonderful doctor. An amazing person. He took such great care of me for 25 years. I will miss him.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Marilyn Goodhart
August 12, 2018
I miss you more every day.
Lucy
August 11, 2018
Connie Carey
August 11, 2018
I was patient of Dr. Kunkel for decades. At first my future was bleak, but he gave me hope and I am still standing today! I will forever be grateful. I will miss his wit and stories. And of course his fabulous flowers. May his personal and office families find comfort in memories of a truly special man, a life well lived.
Elizabeth Goldman
August 8, 2018
I was a patient of Dr. Kunkel for over 30 years. With each change in my medical condition he searched for the answer and new treatment. It was obvious to me that he was a brilliant man who loved his profession. I send my sympathy to his family and to his kind staff.
Linda Weller
August 8, 2018
Tony and I are very sad to hear of the passing of Dr. George Kunkel. He was one of the most warm and gracious persons I knew growing up. My science fair projects were amazing because he allowed me to use his greenhouses. He was a gentleman farmer at heart with an eye and love for sophisticated horticulture that he practiced at home. His gardens were something out of a fairytale. As a childhhood friend and guest of Shelly, I saw he never missed a detail, made sure we were all having fun, and always shared all that he had and enjoyed with others. He will be missed. Our condolences go to Shelly and Barbara, all his family, and his dear friends.
Susan A. Seitz and Tony Seitz
Susan A. Seitz
August 8, 2018
Dr. Kunkel was a wonderful doctor and you don't find doctor's like him anymore. I enjoyed going to his office and looking at his beautiful fresh cut roses.
Kelley Mitchell
Lemoyne, PA
August 8, 2018
Kunkel family and his office staff, Dr Kunkel, What can you say about a truly wonderful man and doctor. My husband was his patient for 16 years. He kept him walking and took exceptional care of him with his health issues. Fishing was their favorite topic at office visits. You will be greatly missed by us. Keep his memories in your heart and he will live on forever.
Randy and Karen Hoffman
August 8, 2018
A wonderful, caring doctor. He was kind and loved to chat about life in general. I will miss him greatly.
Susan Bentz
August 8, 2018
Dr. Kunkel truly loved medicine and cared about his patients. He will be missed!
Lori Fitzwater
August 7, 2018
Kunkel family and friends,
I was so sorry to learn of Dr. Kunkel's passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dr. Kunkel will always hold a special place in my heart. I was under his care for these past 14 years. He literally enabled me to walk and hold a pencil again as he found the right medicine for my RA shortly after I was diagnosed. I enjoyed our chats and hearing all those stories during my treatment days. What a remarkable life he led and he helped so many. Thank you for sharing him. God bless you all.
Tena Hunt
August 6, 2018
This obituary shares the life of a remarkable man and Dr.
To the Kunkel family, I am very sorry for your loss.
Patricia Conte-Vaughn
August 6, 2018
Rest in peace, Dr. Kunkel.
Natalie Dubchak
August 6, 2018
To the Kunkel Family
So very sorry to read of Dr. Kunkel's passing. As a patient for the last 18 years, I've always looked forward to my visits with Dr. Kunkel, as it was always a pleasure to see him and even have a few laughs occasionally as well. He was always so concerned with any problems I may have been physically having and was always ready and able to take care of them successfully. It is rare to find someone like him in the medical field who was so professional and knowledgeable in the field of rheumatology, yet had that dry sense of humor and so down to earth. You never felt rushed during your office visit and always made time for a few extra minutes to just chat. It seemed like you were talking to a friend you've known for years. The world has lost a truly wonderful doctor. I hope the flowers in Heaven can equal the beautiful ones you've grown. Rest in Peace, Dr. Kunkel...you've more than earned it.
Connie Abbott
August 6, 2018
I was so sorry to read of the loss of Dr. Kunkel. He was truly an amazing man and an even more amazing Dr. I went to him when no one else could seem to find out what was wrong with me. Dr. Kunkel had a hard time as well diagnosing me but he kept researching and doing everything he could to find out what my problem was. He truly cared about his patient. Even though he admitted he was not sure what my diagnosis was he knew how to treat my symptoms and he did that and he did that well. I have the utmost respect for this man and he has earned his rest in paradise. I pray that all those who knew and loved him will find comfort and strength in their memories and knowing what a wonderful person he was.
Ruth Chamberlain
August 5, 2018
ROSE Swank-Bowman
August 5, 2018
William Nickol
August 5, 2018
Shelly,
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bess.
Leo Zuvich
Leo Zuvich
August 5, 2018
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