Robert Kunes

Robert L. Kunes, 95 Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg, died Wednesday evening at the home. He was born on January 25, 1918, son of the late Charles C. and Lulu M. (Hoover) Kunes. He married Jeanne Owens Farber Camp Hill, Pa. she preceded him in death on June 15, 1992. There are no surviving relatives. Robert graduated from Altoona High School as an honor student. He then attended Gettysburg College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts, and then went on to Temple and earned a Masters of Education. During his college years, Robert pursued journalism, debating and public speaking. He served as editor and chief of his college newspaper, as well as a member of the varsity debate team. His beginnings in school hobbies led to a lifetime career in public relations. After he married Jeanne, he moved to Baltimore, Md., where he was a buyer for the Montgomery Ward Mail Order House. In 1943, he entered the U. S. Navy as an officer, working in the Navy Supply Corps during the war. He had duty in the Pacific Fleet, including time at the Admiral Nimitz Headquarters in Pearl Harbor. He concluded his commission in Washington, D.C., where he was discharged as a Lieutenant. He then began his public relations career, serving as an executive for over 30 years mainly in Philadelphia and Allentown. Most of these years he reported directly to presidents or other chief operating heads of his employers. His work brought him into frequent close contact with many nationally and internationally famous people, including Dr. Werhner von Braun and Dr. Michael DeBakey, whom he had obtained as speaker for hotel banquets or appearances on major television programs. During these working years, he was active on the board of directors of a number of civic and humanitarian organizations, as well as a member of professional groups, including Philadelphia's famed Poor Richard Club for advertising and public relations professionals, and the Television, Radio, and Advertising Club of Philadelphia. In Allentown, he was a founding member of the Lehigh Valley Public Relations Club, and established his own volunteer weekly radio program called "Education in the News." Robert was a life member of the Navy League, served on the board of trustees at Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, and the Hiram Lodge, #616. At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2013, in the Community Room at the Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg, 915 Hickory Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Home at the above address.