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Dr. William "Bill" E. Kunkle
March 2002
Pat Miller - Okeechobee County Extension, Dairy & Water Quality Agent
Dr. William "Bill" E. Kunkle, 54, died unexpectedly Thursday, February 21, after playing racquetball.
Born in Hudson, Ohio, Dr. Kunkle received his college degrees from Ohio State University, 
finishing his Ph.D. in 1974. He was on the faculty in the Animal Science Department, University of Maryland, until he moved to Williston, FL from Columbia, MD, in 1980, after accepting a position as Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at the University of Florida.
Dr. Kunkle served as the state Beef Extension Specialist and conducted research in beef cattle nutrition. He also guest lectured in beef-stocker and feedyard management. His graduate teaching included serving as an adviser and committee member for students pursuing master's and doctoral degrees. He was well known throughout the beef cattle industry in Florida and the nation. He participated on numerous national committees and task forces. Dr. Kunkle was a highly respected member of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service who worked closely with Extension Agents, allied industry representatives and cattlemen throughout the state. Bill maintained a small beef herd at his farm near Williston. He was an active member of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and also served in the National Guard.
Survivors include his wife, Dr. Gail Kunkle of Williston; sons Matt and Ben Kunkle, both of Williston; brothers Donald Kunkle of Ofalvordton, Ohio, Richard Kunkle of Pioneer, Ohio, and Curtis Kunkle of Bryan, Ohio; and sisters Mary Stahl of Fort Lupton, Colo. and Susan Swab of Hudson, Ohio."
The above is the "official" announcement of the tragic loss of one of our friends and colleagues's. We attended Bill's memorial service outside Gainesville on Friday, March 1. It was an all together fitting tribute to Bill, conducted by the Animal Science Department of which he was so much a part, with eulogies offered by many of his friends, colleagues, clients and co-workers. The service was held outdoors in a beautiful setting among ancient oaks laden with moss adjacent to a pasture with cattle grazing off in the distance. Surely a fitting setting for Bill, his kind of place.
The speeches were eloquent and heart felt. Bill has indeed touched many of us in a variety of lasting ways. Many spoke of his humor, his athleticism, his frugalness, his ability to work with and be a part of any group in which he found himself. And it was obvious that Bill was a genuine individual who played the game straight, told you what he thought, was totally unassuming and always gracious. We all knew the same Bill. Nearly all sighted his uncanny ability to take a complex situation, sort it into manageable pieces and find workable solutions.
This was perhaps Bill's biggest strength. In his 22 years with the University of Florida, Bill addressed complex and difficult problems within the Florida cattle industry, designing and carrying out research to address the problem, then finding practical and economically sound ways to implement solutions on the ranch.
Bill has been a big part of the South Florida Beef/Forage Program since its inception. He has aided the effort through his research, presentations, insight and wisdom. His professionalism and friendship will be forever missed.