Dale Harold Kuhns

(4/11/40 — 1/27/19)

Dale Harold Kuhns was born in Egypt, Pennsylvania to Harold Edwin and Isabel Mary

(Weaver), and was the second of four children. He grew up in Clearfield, PA, where he

would later be admitted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Following

graduation, he attended the US Military Academy at West Point, where he stood out as

a tackle and excelled in wrestling, earning the nickname “Ox” from his classmates.

Following graduation, Dale married Barbara Ord (6/15/62) and was commissioned as a

2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC). He

completed three tours in Guam and Thailand during the Vietnam War, where he flew as

an Aircraft Commander on B-52 bombers, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross

among numerous other awards and recognitions. He was honorably discharged as a

Captain, and he joined civilian life as a corporate pilot for Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

After a move to Texas and a few years as a flight instructor at SimuFlight, he took a

position with JCPenney Corporate Aviation, from which he eventually retired as Chief

Pilot in 2009. In 2012, Dale and Barbara moved to Fishers, Indiana, in order to be closer

to family.

On November 21, 2017, Dale was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme,

and, as during many other times in his life, he was challenged to once again live one of

his favorite quotes, “When you’re up against a trouble, meet it squarely, face to face.

Lift your chin and set your shoulders. Plant your feet and take a brace.” He fought

hard for the next 14 months, finally succumbing to the disease surrounded by family in

his own home.

Dale was a man who lived by the words “Duty, Honor, and Country”. He was strong

both in stature and in his love for his family and friends. His hobbies and interests were

many, and included Ham Radio, fly fishing, traveling, “tinkering”, model airplanes,

snorkeling, politics, pets, square dancing, church, and live music.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Barbara, are his children Timothy (Cindy) Kuhns, and

Janet (Steven) Schoo; grandchildren Taryn (Matthew) Lueken, Justin (Riley) Kuhns, and

Jonathan Schoo; great-grandchildren Eliana and Owen Lueken; and his three siblings

(Shirlene Cerceo, Darryll (Kathy) Kuhns, and Sharon (Dave) Stepien).

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, with visitation at 11 AM, services at 12 Noon, and a gathering at 1 PM. Inurnment with

USAF military honors will then be held at 3 pm at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in

Fishers. Contributions in Dale’s memory may be made to supporting our veterans

through the Gary Sinise Foundation (garysinisefoundation.org).