Lakeside resident Dieter Kuntz died in his Raquet Club home on January 9 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 71.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany on January 13, 1940, Kuntz emigrated to Canada with his family in 1952. He received his undergraduate degree in Business from Andrew University in Berrien Springs, Michigan and earned his post-graduate Masters degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Toronto. He was chief executive officer of both community and teaching hospitals across Canada and in Beirut, Lebanon and was an inspirational teacher and mentor to university students studying hospital administration.
Kuntz was actively involved in fundraising for the United Way and was a long-standing board member and finally chairman of the board of the Canadian Health Services executive board.
Kuntz traveled extensively for work and on family vacations throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Canada and much of the United States. He had an adventurous spirit and always encouraged his family to try new adventures – parasailing, hot air ballooning and white water rafting. He was an avid downhill skier and had his two daughters on skies as infants. He also had a passion for racquetball, golf and tennis.
Kuntz was a loving, romantic husband and considered his wife Kathy to be his ‘best friend and soul mate.’ He was a devoted father and was extremely proud of his daughters (both are dentists) and his sons-in-law.
Kuntz retired to the Lake Chapala area in 2004, as its warm palm-tree environment suited him to a tee. Unfortunately, his retirement years didn’t go as planned due to a bout with cancer in 2005. He persevered and did well until this past year with a diagnosis of heart blockage and news of more cancer.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathy, daughters Krista Greywall (Jin) and Kari Spencer (Andrew) and four grandchildren, Annika, Jayden, Ethan and Serena.
His friends say that no one will ever forget “D.K.” (Pedro to his Mexican friends) for his sense of humor and his unforgettable face.
Donations may be made to the Cancer Society, the Animal Shelter or the Chapala Red Cross. A private celebration of life was held in his honor on January 10.