George Dennis Kunz, 84, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2019 in Seattle Washington. He was born to Hilary M. Kunz and Violet (Simons) Kunz on July 3, 1934 in Spokane Washington. At Wilbur High School he was involved in music, drama and sports, besides academics. Wilbur is a farming community and George acknowledged the deep rural and religious values his parents gave their seven children, growing up on a wheat farm.
After graduating from Wilbur High School class of 1952. George (Dennis) attended Gonzaga University before joining the Society of Jesus where he studied at the seminaries of Sheridan, Oregon and Mount Saint Michael in Spokane for 7 years. He earned graduate degrees at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. George began his teaching career at Seattle University in 1971 remaining active as faculty emeritus after his retirement in 2012. He was a longstanding member of the Department of Psychology, and co-founder of the Graduate Existential-Phenomenological Psychology Program. During his career at Seattle U. he was awarded the Gaffney Endowed Chair and the McGoldrick Fellowship, both of which afforded him time from teaching in order to write.
He had a particular love of the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, and authored a significant book entitled The Paradox of Power and Weakness: Levinas and an Alternative Paradigm for Psychology.
George was preceded in death by his parents: Hilary and Violet Kunz, his brother Lary Kunz, 3 sisters: Katherine Kunz Moore, Elizabeth Kunz and Patty Kunz. He is survived by his wife Margo (Matteri) Kunz of 45 years, 5 children, Matthew Kunz, (wife Heather), Hannah McDonald, (husband Pat), Simon Kunz, Greta Franson (husband Justin), Max Kunz, (wife Carolyn) and 6 granddaughters, Elizabeth, Madeline, Charlotte, Lucca, Isla and Frances; his sisters Mary Ann (Kunz) Bresba and Evelyn (Kunz) Gaffney.
A Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 6, 2019 11:00AM at
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Seattle
.
Family Photos: