Michael Kuntzelman

Michael was born in San Diego on July 22,1950, the son of a career Navy Chief Petty Officer. After his father’s retirement the family settled in Flagstaff where his father taught middle school.

As a youth, Mike became a highly skilled, competitive skier; ran track; became a consummate rock climber; was a Boy Scout; a member of the Civil Air Patrol; and competed as a triathlete. Academically he did quite well and enrolled in college following graduation from high school in Flagstaff.

Mike continued rock climbing and competing as a triathlete well into his 50’s.

At the beginning of his second semester in college, a skiing injury made it uncomfortable to sit. This condition combined with a curiosity about the Vietnam war spurred him to enlist in the Army as a medic. His commitment was to save lives, not take them. He flew as a dust off medic in-country earning two Air Medals and the Bronze Star.

Upon returning, Mike spent a year in a commune in Oregon after which he enrolled in the University of Northern Arizona where he earned his BS in Physics with honors. Following graduation with his bachelors, Mike enrolled in the University of Arizona, Tucson, medical school where he received his MD Degree and went on to serve his residency from which he finished as Chief Resident in Psychiatry.

Mike distinguished himself professionally as medical director of various medical organizations and as a caring healer whose compassion and commitment to patients was renowned amongst his peers and his patients through the many decades of his practice in the greater Tucson area.

Michael was a man of intellectual brilliance, as a degree in physics and medicine attest. However, no recounting of accomplishments can capture the whole person. He was much more than his resume.

Mike was imbued with an irrepressible spirit, mischievous sense of humor, and an engagement in life few achieve. His compassion and quiet loving mien shown in an extraordinary capacity to have anyone with whom he interacted feel a special bond, as if he or she was most special person in his life. No one was a stranger to him. He was the consummate listener who empowered and inspired all to be loving and kind.

He was also an accomplished horseman. Out of their shared passion for horses, he and Dani created the Escalante Springs Equine Rescue to care for all creatures great and small with loving care. Mike pioneered equine therapy, providing people experiences of the innate empathy of horses that was healing and empowering.

The rescue embraced veterinary and vet technician aspirants, giving opportunities to practice with rescue animals through a cooperative relationship with the Pima Medical Institute.

They gladly embraced court probationers into the fold at the rescue, committed as he and Dani were to empowering them to reach greater heights in their lives.

He was a student of the desert and an advocate for environmental awareness and stewardship of our desert lands.

An historian and student of ancient indigenous crafts and skills, he taught youngsters flint napping and basketry with joy and encouragement.

He was a man for all seasons and for humanity whose impish grin and compassionate heart touched all whom he encountered. His joie de vivre was infectious and inspiring. He was an exemplar of the power of compassion, love and understanding to empower and enrich others.

Mike was predeceased by his brother Raymond. He is survived by his wife, Dani Gilbert; his sister Vicky Kuntzleman of Tempe, AZ; his brother Dave Kuntzleman of Tucson, AZ; his son Karl Kuntzleman, of Burlington, VT; and son Jullian Mortimer, of Tucson, AZ; and children of his heart including Noel Marinoni; Dustin Delany; Tris Gordon; Causha and Jonathan Reid; and William Dezomitz. Surviving in-laws include Adam Robinson, Mary Howey, and the Sidney Gilbert family.

A service in celebration of Mike’s life will be held on April 20th, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Funeraria del Angel - University Mortuary located at 7 E. University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85705

"In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Michael’s name to HoofsnHorns Farm Sanctuary, a 501(c)3 nonprofit farm animal sanctuary

Hoofsnhorns Farm Sanctuary

9740 West Lariat drive

Tucson AZ 85743 or online

http://www.hoofsnhornsfarm.org"