TITLE: In memory of Colonel Philip J. Kuhl.

SUMMARY: In memory of Colonel Philip J. Kuhl.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life made rich through joyous times and meaningful accomplishments drew to a close with the passing of longtime Fort Worth resident Colonel Philip J. Kuhl on February 8, 2010, at the age of 95; and WHEREAS, The son of Charles and Mildred Kuhl, Phil Kuhl was born in Astoria, Illinois, on September 27, 1914, and grew up in the central Illinois community of Galesburg; he worked in his father's prominent retail specialty shop until he headed off to Knox College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics and was a competitive swimmer and a member of Phi Delta Theta, Scabbard & Blade, and ROTC; and WHEREAS, Colonel Kuhl joined the Army Air Corps as the shadow of war loomed; he received his wings from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Attack Division, at Kelly and Randolph Air Force Bases in San Antonio and went on to command B-17 and B-24 bombers in the Pacific Theater; during the Battle of Coral Sea, he was forced to ditch his plane in the ocean, and he strove heroically to save the lives of his crew; he was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Purple Heart, among other decorations; and WHEREAS, After World War II ended, Colonel Kuhl continued his career as a command pilot and mastered jet flight; he graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Armed Forces Staff College and rose to become a full colonel, with such responsibilities as directing procurement, production, and logistics for the USAF Air Materiel Command; his leadership skills took him to the Pentagon, as well as Wright-Patterson AFB and numerous strategic air bases around the world; and WHEREAS, While stationed in New England in 1949, Colonel Kuhl met the love of his life, Barbara Dunn; they married the following year in her hometown of Boston and later became the parents of two children, John and Pam; the family moved to Fort Worth after Colonel Kuhl retired from military service, and he was employed in the aerospace industry before engaging in the real estate business with his wife; and WHEREAS, This charming, witty, and multitalented gentleman enjoyed a host of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, and waterskiing, and was equally interested in music and scholarly pursuits; clever and inquisitive, he liked to figure out how things worked and could fix them when they stopped, and he learned how to build radios and computers and to make wine, beer, and even maple syrup; in addition, he took care of countless cherished pets through the years; and WHEREAS, Above all, Phil Kuhl was devoted to his wife and family; an exemplary member of the Greatest Generation, he inspired all who were privileged to know him by embracing life boldly and holding his loved ones ever close in his heart; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Colonel Philip J. Kuhl and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Barbara Kuhl; to his son, Philip John Kuhl, Jr.; to his daughter, Pamela Kuhl-Linscomb, and her husband, Daniel J. Linscomb; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Colonel Philip J. Kuhl. Geren Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2119 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 26, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House