E. George Kuhlman

E. George Kuhlman passed away from a hemorrhagic stroke on Sunday August 28, 2022.

He  was born to Elmer and Mabel (Britzman) Kuhlman on December 15, 1934 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The youngest of three sons, George grew up in Lake Mills, WI experiencing a childhood filled with outdoor activities including ice skating and sledding in the winter and swimming, water skiing, and camping in the summer months. A lifelong Methodist, his faith was built on a foundation of hymns sung with family around the piano and regular church participation. He was Lake Mills High School class valedictorian of 1952 as well as an Eagle Scout. He enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an Early Childhood Education major, however a required class in Modern Dance steered him quickly into a different academic direction. He ultimately earned a BS in Botany. His mother encouraged him to write a letter of inquiry to a faculty member at Oregon State University, which yielded an invitation to a graduate program in Plant Pathology. He said that his best achievement from graduate school was not earning a Ph.D., but meeting his beloved wife Linda Sue (Cindy) Seburn at OSU Wesley Fellowship. Following a whirlwind 6-month courtship, they married in December 1961 and immediately relocated cross country to Asheville, NC where George began his 33-year career as a plant pathologist for the U.S Forest Service. His research career predominantly involved the study of fungi that have trees as their hosts. In 1965, George was transferred to the Diseases of Southern Pines unit in the Research Triangle Park office (NC) where he was stationed until 1983, when he was reassigned to the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Athens, GA. He also served as an adjunct Professor of Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University and the University of Georgia. Devoted to regular exercise, he ran a daily 5k for 25+ years until switching to a morning walking routine (except on Sundays) with his wife until his last waking day. In 1994, he retired from the US Forest Service and continued a full and active life as a volunteer and grandparent. Although his early field of study had shifted from early childhood education, his love for children never stopped. He taught Kindergarten Sunday school for many years and assisted the preschool choir director, usually with a child or two on his lap. He was a regular singer in the bass section of church choir for most of his adult years, as well as a loyal member and leader of the Seekers (Highland UMC, Raleigh) and Cornerstone (FUMC, Athens) Sunday School classes for a combination of more than 50 years. He was a committed volunteer for Athens First United Methodist Church, Learning Ally, AFUMC Mobile Pantry, Our Daily Bread, and Habitat for Humanity. He was an avid reader of biographies and fiction, science journals, and the daily newspaper, as well as a wide collection of theological books which he and Cindy debated and discussed with each other and their dear friends in a weekly reading group. He was an enthusiastic game player, playing cards at lunch breaks with colleagues, most evenings with Cindy after watching Jeopardy, and frequently with his children and grandchildren, giving them tips on how to play competitively with skill and speed, always with a dose of humor. George was a lifelong home gardener, happiest when he spent the day outside tending to his vast vegetable garden, fruit trees, and blueberry bushes. He identified birds from the kitchen window with binoculars and guidebook at the ready. His proudest accomplishment, besides winning the hand of Cindy, was being Dad to his three daughters and Gramps to his six grandchildren. He was their biggest fan and supporter, encouraging their dreams and praising their accomplishments. He built elaborate 2-story playhouses for his girls and their church playground, installed tall tree swings and gave the best “underrun” pushes, and created bridges across backyard creeks to guide exploring. He read bedtime stories without growing weary, combed tangled hair with a gentle touch, and patiently sang lullabies outside bedroom doors for his reluctant sleepers. He attended and cheered on his grandchildren at many sporting, musical, and theatrical events, with a memorable and easy laugh.

In addition to his parents and two older brothers (Charles F. Kuhlman and Franklin R. Kuhlman), George was predeceased by his daughter, Jennifer Kuhlman Pickwell. George is survived by his loving wife Cindy, daughters Sara McKlin and Kathy Samaha (Ahmed) and six grandchildren: Samuel George McKlin, Andreas (Drew) Samaha, Henry McKlin, James Jackson Pickwell, Tucker Samaha, and Claire McKlin.
A celebration of George’s life will be held on Saturday, September 17 at Athens First United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia ( foodbanknega.org ) or Reconciling Ministries Network ( rmnetwork.org ).

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com