Donald Walter Kuhn

Donald “Don” Walter Kuhn passed away Saturday, April 18, 2015, after battling myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) for more than three years.

Born Nov.15, 1930, in Pana, Ill., Don was the eldest son of Hilda and Walter Kuhn. Don’s family moved several times during the Great Depression until they settled in Alton, Ill., where Don was active in basketball, baseball and band at Alton Senior High School, from which he graduated in 1948.

His college education began at Missouri School of Mines in 1949 but was interrupted by two years of service in the United States Army from 1951-53. He met Marion Bruens, a nursing student, in St. Louis and they were married in her hometown of Hermann, Mo., on Dec. 26, 1951, while he was home from Germany on a short leave.

Following his stint in the Army, Don entered Milliken University in Decatur, Ill., graduating in 1956. He was employed by Armstrong World Industries as a salesman. Among the many positions he held in his long and successful career in marketing/merchandising management in the floorcovering business, he was president of Walter Carpets and the Carpet and Rug Division of WestPoint Pepperell. He also served as chairman of the Carpet and Rug Institute, a national trade association.

In addition to Marion, his wife of 63 years, Don is survived by his three daughters, Tamara Hertz (Douglas Johnson), Jill Elizabeth Kuhn and Laura Jeanne Kuhn (Kathie Hullfish), as well as his loving granddaughter Emma Hertz; his brothers, Robert (Marsha) and Eugene (Tyke); his sister, Wilma (Richard Gardner), and many nieces and nephews. His brother Norman (Karen Bowers) predeceased him.

Don’s work ethic was legendary, but his passion was golf. He remained an avid competitor throughout retirement, hitting several holes-in-one and “shooting his age” several times in his 70s and 80s.

In retirement, Don and Marion lived in Blue Springs, Mo., and most recently in Gordonsville, Va.,In addition to golf, Don’s interests included reading, gardening and playing with Bonnie, their beloved West Highland terrier, who loved to accompany him in his golf cart.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, Va. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion United Methodist Church, Troy, Va.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Don’s memory to Zion Methodist Church; Fluvanna, Va., SPCA; or the University of Virginia Cancer Center.