Robert Kuntze

Robert Kuntze, 82, a Carson City resident for the past 33 years, died Feb. 19, 2005, at Carson-Tahoe Hospital. He was born April 25, 1922, in Bronx, N.Y., to Robert R.L. and Katherine E. Hanssler Kuntze.

He married June C. Cleary in 1962 in Modesto, Calif. She preceded him in death Dec. 3, 1998.

Mr. Kuntze spent 34 years in the U.S. Navy and was a master chief petty officer. He enlisted June 30, 1930, and was a gunner on a four-stack destroyer hunting German submarines in the Atlantic Patrol off the coast of Iceland in 1941, prior to U.S. entry in World War II. Later, trained as an aviation machinist mate, he participated in the invasion of French Morocco on Nov. 8, 1942. Transferred to the Mediterranean Amphibious Force Commanders Air Group, he supported landings at Anzio, Italy, and Marseilles, France.

During the Korean War, he was a plane captain with an attack squadron aboard an aircraft carrier off the coast of Korea. During the Vietnam War, he led a detachment at Danang Air Base in South Vietnam servicing aircraft for a maritime patrol squadron. Between wars, he served as a plant captain. He retired at Fallon Naval Air Station on June 30, 1974.

Among his survivors are stepchildren Jo an Vander Pol of Pipestone, Minn., James T. McKenna of Carson City and Charles R. McKenna of Turlock, Calif.

A private service will be at a later date.

FitzHenry's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.