Henry Wheaton Kunhardt

Henry Wheaton Kunhardt (Hank) died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 5:30 am. He was in his Washington, CT home with his three children beside him. Cause of death was long life – he was 92 years old, having been born on July 3, 1928.

 Hank leaves behind: his son Bradley Kunhardt and wife Carolyn; daughter Debbie Kunhardt; daughter Kristin Kunhardt; grandchildren Katharine, Christian, Aidan, Gretchen and Morgen; and great-grandchildren Ronan and Fallon.

 He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Mary Carol Kunhardt (née White) who died in 2002 after a battle with multiple sclerosis.

 A near harem-sized bevy of caregivers eased Hank’s transition from his days as an aging adventurer and twinkle-eyed dance partner to his quieter, contemplative final year.

 Hank attended the Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT, and Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, VA. He earned his BA from Kenyon College, class of 1950, where he was in the Psi Upsilon fraternity. As many young American men did, he served in the Army during the Korean conflict.

 Set up like a bowling pin by fellow Washingtonian Olive Eames, Hank met his wife-to-be Mary Carol White at a Washington Club dance. After a courtship in Washington, New York City and Bay Head, New Jersey, the couple married in Bay Head in June, 1954. The newlyweds settled in Washington where they raised their three children and lived the rest of their lives.

 Hank’s career was in the fashion business; he marketed apparel fasteners like Gripper® snaps and zippers made at Waterbury’s Scovill Manufacturing. Some have said that the leisure suits of the 70s could not have happened without Hank’s product lines. (Sorry, everyone!)

 Hank was active at St. John’s Episcopal Church, singing in the choir and acting in pageants. He performed musical and comedic roles in local musical theater and in the Valley Chordsmen barbershop group. As a kayaker, he was engaged in efforts to protect the Shepaug River. He was a longtime member of the Washington Club.

 Many knew Hank for his devotion to Mary Carol as they fought a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis. He led record-breaking development campaigns in support of the Western Connecticut Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

 A private service at the family gravesite will occur at a later, post-pandemic time. In lieu of flowers – they made him sneeze – Hank’s family asks that you please consider a donation to the Steep Rock Association, Inc.:  https://steeprockassoc.org   Or, consider the Connecticut Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/CTN.

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