George Kuhla

Island resident George Kuhla died on April 15, 2010. He was born in Jim Thorpe, Penn., on Feb 13, 1920. Kuhla served the United States as an Army Air Force fighter pilot in the Pacific in World War II. After the war, he went to business school in California, and then to work for de Giorgio farms, near Bakersfield. After de Giorgio was purchased by S&W Foods, Kuhla took an executive position in their San Francisco office.

He married Dorothy Price while still in Bakers-field, later raising two daughters in the Bay Area. Throughout his younger years, Kuhla’s creative side led him to learn to play the violin. He was also a ballroom dance instructor, a music composer and radio script writer during various stages of his life.

He was incredibly passionate about all his endeavors, but fly fishing and his violin were paramount interests until a few years ago, when he suffered a stroke. He moved to Vashon in 1982 to be closer to his daughter Gloria Foster and her family. At that time, although retired, Kuhla managed the Charter House Apartments, where he resided until recently. He pursued many spiritual directions throughout his lifetime; at the time of his death, he had returned to the Catholic faith of his childhood.

His wife Dorothy and his daughter Gloria died before Kuhla. He is survived by his daughter Gale Hicks; his three grandsons, Scott Martin (Liz), Eric and Jeff Foster; granddaughter Amy Hicks and great grandchildren Olivia and Alex Martin. Ken and Lori Foster also grieve his passing. A memorial service will be held when the family is next together in the Puget Sound area. Interment will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery. Donations in memory of Kuhla may be made to Vashon House-hold, P.O. Box 413, Vashon.