CATEGORY: Event TYPE: Obituary NOTE: Copyright 2009 New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
DANVILLE, NH Ralph Otto Kindler, 87, former Army Staff Sergeant, of Danville, NH, died January 1, 2009. The last surviving child of Otto and Lilla Kindler, he was born December 21, 1921, in Webster, MA.
Mr. Kindler earned an industrial engineering B.S. from Purdue University, served in China during WWII, married his wife of 56 years, Evelyn May Holmes of Shrewsbury, MA, and raised four children, in Indiana and Massachusetts.
Always inventive, the "Grand Master Punster" loved God and his family above all. Loyal Republican, he relished life, music, golf, fishing and the Red Sox. [Get the full skinny on Ralph Kindler at: www.brewittfuneralhome.com]
He was pre-deceased by Evelyn, in 2004 and his eldest son, George H. Kindler, in 2006. He is survived by his three children, Elaine M. Kindler of Danville, Warren W. Kindler of Epping, Amy E. Kindler of Rochester, and daughters-in-law Nancy L. Kindler of Epping and Elizabeth I. Kindler of Las Vegas, NV. He also leaves four grandchildren, eight grandchildren, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
Services: Calling hours are 3-7 p.m Friday, January 9 at Brewitt Funeral Service, 9 Pleasant Street, Epping, NH. The funeral service is Saturday, January 10 at 12:00 p.m at the Danville Baptist Church, 226 Main Street, Danville. Spring burial will be in Meetinghouse cemetery, Danville, NH.
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www.brewittfuneralhome.com
CATEGORY: Event TYPE: Obituary NOTE: Ralph Otto Kindler, 87, former Army Staff Sergeant, of Danville, NH, died January 1, 2009. The last surviving child of Otto and Lilla Kindler, he was born December 21, 1921, in Webster, MA. Along with his two brothers and four sisters (Ernest, Harold, Ruth, Lois, Barbara and Joan), Ralph grew up in Webster and worked in the family businesses, Kindler Plumbing and Heating, and Kindler Hardware.
After graduating high school, he began taking finance classes at Nichols College destined to become the accountant for the business. However, in 1942, after WWII started, he felt it was his duty to serve. His time in India, Burma, and China left him with memories both good and horrible, but mostly with respect for his fellow man, which he instilled in all his children.
Upon returning from Asia, Mr. Kindler resumed his college career at Valparaiso University in Indiana where he met his wife of 56 years, Evelyn May Holmes of Shrewsbury, MA. Ralph transferred to Purdue University and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering. Ralph and Evelyn returned to Massachusetts with first son George, where three other children were born and raised in Webster, Hopkinton and Framingham before Ralph and Evie moved to NH.
Ralph had a long career in mechanical engineering, first with Fenwall Corp. in Ashland, and then with Raytheon Corp. in several locations throughout MA and NH. Among his many achievements were his contributions in the guidance systems of the Apollo Space Missions and the assembly methods of the Patriot and Hawk defense missile systems.
He loved God and his family above all. He was a founding member of, and for many years a leader in, the Framingham Lutheran Church. He was a staunch Republican and involved in campaigns for candidates he believed were honest and would do a good job.
The "Grand Master Punster" will always be remembered for his quick laser-sharp sense of humor, even to the last. He loved to tease, to surprise others with practical jokes and saw humor in all kinds of situations.
He relished life in New England, particularly activities on the water-fishing, swimming and sailing. When he was physically able, he loved to play golf and tennis. He got a thrill out of going to the races and playing poker. He was a great fan of New England sports teams-especially the Red Sox.
Inheriting great creative genes, Ralph loved music, working in stained glass and even invented a board game. He was a great gardener and farmer. Although his next home was going to have no potential, he was a master in home renovation projects and taught his children along the way.
Ralph continually challenged himself to learn new things, most recently studying options trading. He amazed many with his zest for figuring out anagram puzzles.
Other than his family, perhaps his greatest legacy is his shining example of doing all that you can do to stay as healthy and as independent as you can each step of the way. He accepted nearly three years of thrice-weekly dialysis treatments, which kept him alive. And in September, he embraced a bio-therapy that might have halted the growth of his renal cell cancer that had returned in 2007, his fourth battle with cancer.
He was pre-deceased by Evelyn in 2004 and his eldest son, George H. Kindler, in 2006. He is survived by his three children, Elaine M. Kindler of Danville, Warren W. Kindler of Epping, Amy E. Kindler of Rochester, and daughters-in-law Nancy L. Kindler of Epping and Elizabeth I. Kindler of Las Vegas, NV and "adopted" daughter Norma Laroeque of Minot, ME. He also leaves five grandchildren and spouses (Kenneth and Carolyn Cooper, Christopher Cooper and fiancé Ondrea Gray, Daniel and Cheryl Barnhart, and Carlton and Misty Cooper), and "adopted" grandchild Caelyn Callahan. He also leaves ten great grandchildren (Ashley and Haylee Cooper, Zachary and Aaron Gosset-Cooper and Sarah and Brian Gray, Marianna and Cassie Barnhart, Lauren Mitchell and Averie Cooper, and), a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren, as well as several dear friends.
Services
Calling hours are 3-7 pm Friday, January 9 at Brewitt Funeral Service, 9 Pleasant Street (Rt. 27), Epping. The funeral service is Saturday, January 10 at 12:00 pm at the Danville Baptist Church, 226 Main Street (Rt. 111A), Danville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Services, 1 Hampton Road, Building B, Suite 109, Exeter, NH 03833 (for the Patient Services fund), or to Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111 www.vfw.org
