George Harter Kumler, devoted husband of 60 years and father to three boys, passed away on May 12, 2019. George was born in Wilmington, Delaware on February 27, 1929 to parents Ralph Waldo Kumler and Elinor Theodora Harter Kumler. He grew up in Pelham, New York and enjoyed sailing in Long Island Sound with his father and brother. George earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 1951 and then went to work with American Cyanamid in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He joined the Navy in 1954, receiving his commission and serving as the Electronics Officer aboard the Radar Picket Destroyer USS O’Hare. He was Honorably Discharged in 1957 after fulfilling his active duty commitment as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. Upon return to civilian life, George began a career with Hercules Chemical Company, residing in Highland Park, New Jersey. In 1965, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University.
George married Clara Louise “Lou” (Van Nuis) Kumler on November 15, 1958 and the couple had three boys. George’s career required the family to relocate to Newark, Delaware in 1970 and Sulphur, Louisiana in 1972. George retired in 1991, from what was then Himont Chemical, and he and Lou eventually moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 2012. Throughout George’s life, he demonstrated kindness and selflessness in everything he did. He habitually put the interests of others ahead of his own. He was a very kind-hearted individual.
George enjoyed swimming, boating, snow skiing, golf, bridge, and watching the many activities in which his sons participated. Upon retirement, he was a tireless volunteer with the Sulphur nonprofit organization, Care Help. George very much enjoyed the annual family beach vacations to the Florida panhandle.
George was predeceased by his sister, Mary Kumler; brother, Ralph Kumler; and wife Clara Louise “Lou” (Van Nuis) Kumler, who passed on November 1, 2018. He is survived by sons Paul V. Kumler (Ginger Smith Kumler), Alan H. Kumler (Kristy Spaeth Kumler), and Scott W. Kumler (Julie Jordan Kumler); seven grandchildren David Kumler, Lauren Kumler Avance (Alex Avance), Brady Kumler, Daniel Kumler, Allie Kumler, Jordan Kumler, and Ashley Kumler; and two great-granddaughters Elise Avance and Clara Avance. The family will hold a private service celebrating George’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations to either the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org) or the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org) would be appreciated, as George suffered with dementia and Parkinson’s and would greatly appreciate anything you could do to help alleviate these illnesses.