Piqua Daily Call

Wednesday, August 2, 1939  

DR. ROBERT KUNKLE, PIQUA PHYSICIAN FOR 35 YEARS, DIES EARLY WEDNESDAY  

Highly Respected General Practitioner and Friend of Hundreds Succumbs in Hospital--Was World War Veteran and Former City Health Officer  

Members of the medical profession in Piqua lost a highly respected and deeply admired associate and many Piqua families relinquished a wise and sympathetic councilor when Dr. Robert Lee Kunkle, 63, of 320 West High street, died at three o’clock this morning at Memorial hospital.  Although his health had been affected for some time by an incurable disease, it was only four weeks ago that he became too ill to engage in active practice.  A practitioner of general medicine in this city since 1904 when he was graduated from Ohio Medical School, Columbus, he had established himself as a considerate, benevolent, understanding and skillful family doctor in the 35 years that have elapsed since he began to practice. As a young doctor he capably fulfilled the duties as Piqua Health officer and city physician.  During the World War he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the United States Medical Corps.  Since his 21st birthday he had been actively affiliated with the Masonic lodge; he was a member of the Piqua lodge of Elks, the Presbyterian church, the Miami County Medical association and the American Legion. Born in Galion, Ohio, March 10, 1876, the son of Elias and Sarah Flick Kunkle.  In 1895 he graduated from Galion high school and took his pre-medic work at Otterbein college, Westerville.  He received his degree in medicine at Ohio Medical School of Ohio State university, coming to Piqua shortly thereafter.  He established his office at 222 West High street where he remained until four weeks ago when illness forced him to discontinue practice.  On September 2, 1916, he married Miss Florence Cron, member of a well known Piqua family and has resided at 320 West High since then. Besides his widow he leaves two sisters, Miss Maude Kunkle of Newark, O., and Mrs. George James (Nelle) of Galion; a stepson, Francis Cron of Piqua, and granddaughter, Ellen Margaret Cron, Piqua.  Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the First Presbyterian church with interment at Forest Hill cemetery.  Friends may call at the J. C. Cron Funeral Home Thursday afternoon and evening.

Provided by Roger A. Hopkins

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