Ronald William Kuntz

Ronald W. Kuntz passed away on July 8, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Hospital.

He was born April 9, 1937 in Brooklyn, Iowa to Bevan and Effie Kuntz. Ronald grew up on a farm south of Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn High School. He went to the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a B.S. degree with a double major in economics and business administration. He obtained a Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School.

Ron started his career as an insurance adjustor. He completed more than 300 trials as a prosecutor for the Polk County Attorney's Office. He was an assistant attorney general and senior trial attorney for the Iowa Attorney General's Office. He later established the law firm of Kuntz, Laughlin and Horn. During his practice he was general counsel for Casey's General Stores. Ron was an instructor at Grand View University, Des Moines Area 11 College, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and Des Moines Police Academy as well as serving on the Iowa Preserves Board and Crime Stoppers.

Ron was a member of the Iowa Bar Association. He served as a state president of the Isaak Walton League and was a member of Pheasants Forever. He actively participated in Huntmaster's Club and his life reflected a strong commitment to the Huntmaster motto: "When you hunt and fish put back more than you take."

Ron had many hobbies including a love of cars and music ranging from polka and country western to big band. His passion was the great outdoors. As an avid outdoorsman he enjoyed hunting. He was a field editor for the Iowa Sportsman magazine and a co-host for Sportsman's Notebook on WHO.

Ron is survived by his wife, Carla Bittner; brother, Duane "Ratt" (Laurie) Kuntz of Hills, MN; sister, Sara (Denny) Youngkin of Brooklyn; as well as nieces and nephews: Karla Youngkin (Oliver Wilson), Matt Youngkin, Lisa Kuntz, and Mike (Emily) Kuntz; and other family members. Ron will be missed by his Labrador companions, Buddy V and Maggie. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edward.

Memorials may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or the Izaak Walton League's (Ron Kuntz) Annual Legislator Award.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Services will be Wednesday, July 13th at 10:00 am also at Hamilton's, with burial following at Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery.

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