GIG HARBOR, Washington — Dr. Robert Kunkle, owner of Gig Harbor Bone and Joint Clinic, drowned Aug. 9 during a family vacation in Canada. Tragedy struck when Kunkle, a diver with 10 years of experience, was caught in a strong current at the end of a scuba dive session with a master dive group. Kunkle, 60, was with his family at the time. He is survived by three siblings and his wife, Darla. Friend shares memories Since she heard one of her best friends and business partners died, Michelle Atkins has spent a lot of time contemplating the loss of such a close friend. Michelle and Mark Atkins knew Rob and Darla Kunkle for about 11 years and shared many intimate moments. Besides being partners, the couples were "best friends" and spent time together, including an unforgettable trip to Canada when the Atkins' children were 6 years old. On a sailing trip in Canada, the families were heading to a location named Pirates Cove. Unknown to the Atkins' children, Kunkle had secretly bought pirate outfits and hid fake treasure near the island for the children to find. "He had a really silly side, a really funny side," Atkins said. Michelle Atkins said she'll never forget how much Kunkle loved her two children like his own. "From the day they were born, he just made them feel like they were his world," Atkins said. "I will always remember his playfulness and kindness and love towards our family." As a professional, Atkins said Kunkle was "above the little stuff" and was well-respected and liked by his colleagues. "He treated everyone like his friend and made everyone feel important," she said. Atkins has been fielding many phone calls from patients who have been crushed to hear of Kunkle's death. How would the man who loved so much and asked for so little in return want to be remembered? That's easy, Atkins said. "He would have liked to be remembered as just being full of life and being kind of laid-back and carefree but very professional," she said. "I think he would have just liked to be remembered as the person who made everybody smile. "He made people laugh. He was just warm. Everybody loved him." Patient praises doctor Former Kunkle patient Dennis Williams, 66, said Kunkle was a phenomenal surgeon. Williams' history with Kunkle goes back 17 years and involves a toilet. Williams, who was the building manager at a Tacoma apartment at the time, injured his shoulder while he tried to toss a toilet into a dumpster. Kunkle was the one who operated on Williams. | | Dr. Robert Kunkle, who died while scuba diving off Vancouver Island in British Columbia, is survived by three siblings and his wife, Darla. "That's my bowling arm," Williams remembers telling Kunkle. "He did everything possible to try and restore it." Kunkle operated on Williams two more times over the years, including a knee surgery that Williams said helped alleviate his back and hip pains. A deep respect and gratitude grew for the doctor and his precise operations. But it wasn't Kunkle's style to bask in the glory. "He never really took credit for anything," Williams said. "He always gave me credit for doing my physical therapy." Williams had no problem recommending Kunkle to anyone with joint issues. "Every patient I sent him said nothing but great things about him," Williams said. What will the man who owes his shoulder mobility and countless other health improvements remember most about Kunkle? "I can see his smiling face," Williams said. "He was just one of those great individuals." Memorial service A celebration of Kunkle's life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, at his home on Fox Island. Michelle Atkins can be reached by e-mail at mnmatkins02@msn.com for more information. The family has requested that people not send flowers. Rather, the public can make contributions in his name to a memorial fund at Columbia Bank. by Nate Hulings
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