Robert Gene Kuhns

Robert “Bob” Gene Kuhns was born in Lansing, Michigan on June 10, 1933 to Lyle and Hazel Kuhns.

Bob grew up in rural Lansing, attending a small school, and for a time was the only boy in the school. Something he did not appreciate at the time, especially when it came to picking baseball teammates, but it was only later that he could have appreciated this. That opportunity never again arose.

While stationed at Fort Lewis army base during the Korean War era, a cute young lady caught Bob’s eye, while attending the same church she did. She invited him to a roller skating party that night. Between that and the dinners her dad and mom enticed him with, as well as fishing trips with her granddad, he was embraced by the family and especially by Naomi (Boesen), and they soon began a “happily ever after” life together, marrying on June 19, 1955. Their marriage survived all the ups and downs of life’s adventures, trials and joys for 68 years, until Naomi quietly passed away in 2023.

After the Korean War ended, Bob attended Emmanuel Missionary College, now known as Andrews University. He completed a degree in Medical Technology.

After he had his small family, with the encouragement of his friends and his wife, Bob decided to switch careers and go to medical school. He graduated from Kansas University, and in 1964 began his medical practice in Yakima, WA, which lasted for many decades. Most recently, he joined the team at Quality Care. He later served as locum tenens at another local practice, as he gradually diminished work life and spent more time snow-birding in Arizona. He kept his medical license until well into his 80’s.

Among his favorite lifetime memories would be his cross-country bike ride trip with his daughter Susie and her husband Jimm. They took two weeks each summer, packed it with many road adventures and ice cream stops along the way, finishing the trip when he was 70 years old.

His short-term mission trips were another life highlight for him. He became known as “Jungle Bob” to his comrades. He enjoyed practicing medicine with whatever tools were available to people who were very grateful for any help they could receive. He thoroughly loved the adventurous experiences and the service he could offer. Lifelong memories and treasured friendships were developed there. For that matter, everywhere Bob went or worked, he developed lifelong memories and treasured friendships. That is Bob.

Bob and Naomi raised two devoted daughters, Cheryl Vyhmeister and Susie Bunch, who will miss him greatly for many things that there is not enough space to include.

He is survived by, Eldest daughter, Cheryl Vyhmeister (Walter), and their two sons, Aric and Ross (Kaitlyn), and grandsons Aiden and Evan,Youngest daughter, Susie Bunch (Jimm) and their two sons, Jimmy and Christian (Erin), Sister, Janet Marsh and her daughters Kelly Marsh-Graham and Sherry Marsh.

Bob went to his rest on March 4, 2024. We all look forward to seeing him again, restored to youth and good health. “You were a great dad…We love you daddy.”

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024 at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.

A Celebration of the lives of Bob and Nomi Kuhns will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Yakima Seventh-day Adventist Church, 507 N 35th Ave. Yakima. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com