Donald K. Kuehl

Donald Kenneth Kuehl, 90, of Manchester, beloved husband for 54 years of the late Carol E. (Goodyear) Kuehl, died Friday (January 29, 2016) at home with family at his side. A scientist, engineer, and family man who lived his faith and practiced good citizenship, he was born June 8, 1925 in Melrose, MA, son of the late Adolph and Ella (Fritzsch) Kuehl. He graduated from Medford (MA) High School in 1942 and enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1944, war service interrupted his chemistry studies. He graduated from the Army Specialized Training Program at North Carolina College of Agriculture and Engineering with a certificate in electrical engineering and served in the Signal Corps in Alaska. In 1946 he returned to MIT and also joined the Army Reserve. He was a reservist for 20 years, retiring as Inspector General, 76th Division, at the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1948 he graduated from MIT with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He moved to Manchester in 1950 and worked for Cheney Brothers, first as a chemist and then as assistant to the engineering manager. He then worked at the United Aircraft Corporation Research Labs, where he was a member of the team that developed the Lunar Leaper, a propulsion unit for astronauts engaged in extravehicular activity. The Leaper ultimately was used for the space shuttle. While at the Labs, he continued his education, earning master's degrees in industrial psychology from Trinity College and in chemistry from the University of Connecticut. He worked for Hamilton Standard and Alcoa before founding Composite Technology, Inc., of Broad Brook. There he and his team refined and perfected the manufacture of boron filament used in the aerospace industry, sports equipment, and medical technology. He continued his work with boron at Composites Inc. of Manchester, which he founded in 1983. He retired as company president when he turned 90. He enjoyed singing tenor in the choir at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Manchester, where he had taught Sunday School, was a lay reader, and gladly served on many committees. He was devoted to the betterment of Manchester. During his 22 years on the town's Building Committee, he helped accomplish projects including the expansion of Mary Cheney Library, renovation of the police station, construction of the main fire station, and work at many of the town's schools. He was elected to the town's Board of Directors and to the Cheney Hall Foundation, of which he was vice-president and president. He served on the Bicentennial, Sesquicentennial, and World War II committees. A member of the Republican Town Committee since 1952, he served as vice-chairman from 1982 to 1986 and chairman from 1986 to 1988. He was named Manchester Republican of the Year in 2007. He was a charter member of the Exchange Club of Manchester, served several terms as president, and was honored with the Book of Golden Deeds for his community service. He married Carol in 1951. When she died in 2006, she was an organ donor, and he became a member of LifeChoice Donor Service's Donor Family Advisory Council. He was dedicated to giving blood and had contributed 31 gallons and three pints. He loved to read, solve crossword puzzles, square dance, dine out, feed birds, fix things, and root for the Red Sox, Patriots, and UConn women's basketball team. Besides Carol, he was predeceased by daughters Pamela Judith and Valerie Joanne. He is survived by three children who were inspired by his love of learning: Allison de Kanel and her husband, Paul, of Scotia, NY; Claudia Kuehl, who shared his home; and Wayne Kuehl and his wife, Susan, of Wilmington, DE. He also is survived by his favorite - and only - kid sister, Phyllis K. Borns of Orono, ME; his sister-in-law, Violet Cocrane, of Murrells Inlet, SC; and three nieces: Jacqueline Bernier of Murrells Inlet, SC; Beverly Ballard of Glassboro, NJ; and Donna Moore of Limerick, PA. He also leaves his cat, Alexander. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 11 AM at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 41 Park St., Manchester. Burial with Military Honors will be held in the East Cemetery. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4-7 PM at the Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester. To sign the online register book go to www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com .

Visitation DetailsTuesday, February 2nd, 2016 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Holmes Funeral Home
Service DetailsWednesday, February 3rd, 2016 11:00am, St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Interment DetailsEast Cemetery