1927
Robert
2009
Robert Lewis Hunker
March 2, 1927 — March 23, 2009
Robert Lewis Hunker died March 23, 2009 at the age of 82.
He was an Environmental, Architectural, and Interior Designer, responsible for the preservation and restoration of the Village of Peninsula and the grassroots founder of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, thus fondly referred to as ``Mr. Peninsula."
Born to John Dudley and Bess E. Brown Hunker on March 2, 1927, Akron, Ohio, his early years were spent in the Portage Lakes area where he learned to swim before he walked. He was a member of the Turkey Foot Island Club, The Yachtsmen's Club, and Cleveland Yachting Club since 1965.
Robert attended Lockwood School then Coventry High School, graduating with honors. While attending high school Bob was vice president of his class and active in student-civic activities, theater and music, and privately studied painting, design, color, and drawing.
Upon graduation, Bob attended Case Western Reserve University graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. He also attended The Cleveland School of Floral Design and Horticultural; the Cleveland School of Art; and studied piano and pipe organ at The Cleveland Music Settlement.
His first employment was with the M. O'Neil Company in Akron as a Senior Designer from 1949 to 1952.
In 1952, he established the design firm Robert L. Hunker Associates, Inc. He moved his firm in 1962 from Akron to its new location in the heart of the Village of Peninsula. The original 1830 residence and barn were utilized as the core of a contemporary complex of offices and workrooms for all in-house services for Hunker Associates, Inc. The complex has continued to be the home of Robert L. Hunker Associates, Inc.; Hunker Real Estate; and the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation.
As a result of his extensive travels with his parents during his early years, Bob continued traveling throughout the world. He observed and studied the development and redevelopment of old and new cities as well as their historic background, styles and architecture providing the necessary experience for his work in preservation. Bob was the first founder and president of the Peninsula Valley Heritage Association. His hard work and dedication through the PVHA were instrumental in the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Towpath, preservation of the mill site in Peninsula, and site selection of Blossom Music Center.
A summary of Bob's civic involvement include serving on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Restoration Society, Hower House; Fairmont Theater of the Deaf of Cleveland; Early Settlers of the Western Reserve of Cleveland; Vice President of the Irish Georgian Society; Decorative Arts Trust, Ohio Chapter; the Ohio Bi-Centennial Committee of Cleveland; board member and advisor of the Western Reserve Historical Society and Hale Farm and Village; Cleveland Institute of Art; advisory board of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area; Chairman of the Commission for Peninsula Village National Historic District; and as Assistant Chairman for the 1972 Cleveland conference of the National Trustee for Historic Preservation. Bob is an Honorary Life Member of the Summit County Historical Society of Akron. He was also one of the founders of the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation and served as the first ad hoc curator for Stan Hywet.
He was a 50-year member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and continued, until his death, in the design, restoration, and preservation of structures and their interiors. He is listed in Baron's Who's Who in Interior Design International Edition.
In 1994, Bob founded the Gully Ridge Hounds, a pack of foxhounds that is registered and recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association. The hunt was a culmination of his life-long love of horses, hounds, and equestrian activities which he widely supported. Bob leaves for perpetuity to the public his extensive library, residence, and the preservation of many historic structures in Peninsula through his charitable trust the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation.
Bob is survived by his sister, Doris N. Hunker of San Francisco, California.
Calling hours will be at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., on Friday, March 27, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. Private funeral services at The Bronson Memorial Chapel and interment in the family plot at Ira cemetery. A celebration of life will take place at the G.A.R. Hall in Peninsula at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation, 6138 Riverview Road Suite F, Peninsula, Ohio 44264-9651.
Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel
He was an Environmental, Architectural, and Interior Designer, responsible for the preservation and restoration of the Village of Peninsula and the grassroots founder of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, thus fondly referred to as ``Mr. Peninsula."
Born to John Dudley and Bess E. Brown Hunker on March 2, 1927, Akron, Ohio, his early years were spent in the Portage Lakes area where he learned to swim before he walked. He was a member of the Turkey Foot Island Club, The Yachtsmen's Club, and Cleveland Yachting Club since 1965.
Robert attended Lockwood School then Coventry High School, graduating with honors. While attending high school Bob was vice president of his class and active in student-civic activities, theater and music, and privately studied painting, design, color, and drawing.
Upon graduation, Bob attended Case Western Reserve University graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics. He also attended The Cleveland School of Floral Design and Horticultural; the Cleveland School of Art; and studied piano and pipe organ at The Cleveland Music Settlement.
His first employment was with the M. O'Neil Company in Akron as a Senior Designer from 1949 to 1952.
In 1952, he established the design firm Robert L. Hunker Associates, Inc. He moved his firm in 1962 from Akron to its new location in the heart of the Village of Peninsula. The original 1830 residence and barn were utilized as the core of a contemporary complex of offices and workrooms for all in-house services for Hunker Associates, Inc. The complex has continued to be the home of Robert L. Hunker Associates, Inc.; Hunker Real Estate; and the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation.
As a result of his extensive travels with his parents during his early years, Bob continued traveling throughout the world. He observed and studied the development and redevelopment of old and new cities as well as their historic background, styles and architecture providing the necessary experience for his work in preservation. Bob was the first founder and president of the Peninsula Valley Heritage Association. His hard work and dedication through the PVHA were instrumental in the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Towpath, preservation of the mill site in Peninsula, and site selection of Blossom Music Center.
A summary of Bob's civic involvement include serving on the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Restoration Society, Hower House; Fairmont Theater of the Deaf of Cleveland; Early Settlers of the Western Reserve of Cleveland; Vice President of the Irish Georgian Society; Decorative Arts Trust, Ohio Chapter; the Ohio Bi-Centennial Committee of Cleveland; board member and advisor of the Western Reserve Historical Society and Hale Farm and Village; Cleveland Institute of Art; advisory board of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area; Chairman of the Commission for Peninsula Village National Historic District; and as Assistant Chairman for the 1972 Cleveland conference of the National Trustee for Historic Preservation. Bob is an Honorary Life Member of the Summit County Historical Society of Akron. He was also one of the founders of the Stan Hywet Hall Foundation and served as the first ad hoc curator for Stan Hywet.
He was a 50-year member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and continued, until his death, in the design, restoration, and preservation of structures and their interiors. He is listed in Baron's Who's Who in Interior Design International Edition.
In 1994, Bob founded the Gully Ridge Hounds, a pack of foxhounds that is registered and recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association. The hunt was a culmination of his life-long love of horses, hounds, and equestrian activities which he widely supported. Bob leaves for perpetuity to the public his extensive library, residence, and the preservation of many historic structures in Peninsula through his charitable trust the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation.
Bob is survived by his sister, Doris N. Hunker of San Francisco, California.
Calling hours will be at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., on Friday, March 27, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. Private funeral services at The Bronson Memorial Chapel and interment in the family plot at Ira cemetery. A celebration of life will take place at the G.A.R. Hall in Peninsula at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Peninsula Valley Historic & Education Foundation, 6138 Riverview Road Suite F, Peninsula, Ohio 44264-9651.
Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel
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