A.F. “Whitey” Kuhlman, 92, of Humboldt, died September 5, 2014 at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Humboldt. Interment with full military rites conducted by the Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard V.F.W. Post 5240 will be in Union Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation with the family is from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Whitey is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Rick and Mary Kuhlman of Fort Dodge, Randy and Roxanne Kuhlman of Fort Dodge, and Kevin and Teresa Kuhlman of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Aaron (Cheryl), Joe, Kristin, Shannon, and Greg Kuhlman; and great granddaughter, Katelyn. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elizabeth “Betty”; and a brother, Kenneth Kuhlman.
A.F. Kuhlman, the son of Arthur Fredrick and Elizabeth Annette (Maycock) Kuhlman, was born August 13, 1922 on a farm near Wellington, Missouri. He attended school in the country and in Wellington. His father worked on a construction crew narrowing the Missouri River, which took the family to Missouri Valley. Following Whitey’s graduation from Missouri Valley High School in 1940, he attended Drake University in Des Moines where he lettered in football. At the outbreak of World War II, Whitey enlisted into the United States Navy. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior Class and was involved in the D-Day landing at Omaha Beach followed by service in the Pacific Theater. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned home and married his high school classmate Elizabeth “Betty” Homan. He completed his master’s degree at Drake and began his teaching and coaching career at Ida Grove for 3 years. He then served the Osceola School District until 1958 when he moved his growing family to Humboldt. In Humboldt, Whitey coached football, track and served as the Athletic Director. In 1964, he became the Assistant Principal and Activities Director of the new Humboldt High School until his retirement in 1987.
Whitey was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ. He was also a member of the Iowa Football Coach’s Hall of Fame and was recognized for his work with the Iowa High School Athletic Association. He enjoyed working in the automobile business in his retirement and loved the time he spent with his family.