Rev. Doctor Robert (Bob) Albert Kunz, 76, of Lincoln, Nebraska, went head-to-head with complications from pancreatic cancer surgery. On April 21, 2022, the complications declared victory and Bob had the privilege of transitioning to his new life in Christ. He leaves an unfillable hole in the lives of his family and friends.
Bob was born to Robert Emmet Kunz and Ellen H. (Pollard) Kunz in Prescott, Arizona. He loved the mountains and the desert of his home state. The Grand Canyon was his favorite place on earth. His father died when he was seven. During his high school years, Bob gained a stepfather, Charles Pipkin.
His interest in gymnastics led him to give up high school football, so he could concentrate on gymnastics. He carried that interest into college where he, as a co-captain, helped lead the Fort Hays State University gymnastics team through many winning competitions.
Later in life, he developed an interest in watercolor painting, but his passion was bicycling. He joined a biking team and rode five times in RAGBRAI—a week-long ride across Iowa beginning at the Missouri River and ending at the Mississippi River, He also co-led a bicycling interest group through the University of Nebraska OLLIE program.
During more than forty years of ministry, Bob served as pastor of four churches. This led to moves from Kansas to Iowa and Nebraska.
He loved books and was a member of a men’s book group during the 90’s. After retiring and moving back to Lincoln, he rejoined that group.
Bob met the love of his life, Eileen Delimont, when he moved with his parents after his high school graduation from Arizona to Norton, Kansas. He and Eileen were married two years later and attended college together. Bob had a double major in English and philosophy with a minor in history. He was offered assistantships in both the English and history departments, but his calling was to ministry. The day after college graduation, they packed a small U-Haul and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Eastern Baptist Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. His search for knowledge and competence in ministry led him to earn a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.
Throughout 55 years, Bob shared life and adventures with Eileen, his best friend and wife. They were blessed with one child, Tamara who continues to be a joy. She brought into their family a son-in-law, Shawn Mousel of Lincoln.
Bob is also survived by three beloved grandsons, Jonathan, Isaac, and Carson Mousel of Lincoln; two sisters, Judy Cassels of Arizona and Diane Held of Washington; two sisters-in-law, Leta Harpst (John) of Florida and Judy VanDerVeen (Jay) of Kansas and several nephews and nieces scattered throughout the United States.
Bob is at peace and enjoying a heavenly reunion with his father, mother, stepfather and sister, Jane Heatherly. He is sure to be forming a heavenly biking club.
Services will be held at First Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 30, 2022, at 10:30 a. m. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:00-10:00. Graveside services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Week of Compassion for Ukrainian Relief, Edenton Christian Church, or the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) in Nebraska c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, PO Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS 67661