KUNZ, FLYNN

Posted by cathy gowdy on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 05:55:10 :

Independent Journal
Thursday, August 25, 1977

WALTER KUNZ

Word has been received in Marin of the death of Walter Kunz, who lived in Marin as a youth and who is the brother of Dorothy Flynn of Greenbrae.

Kunz, 57, who served 14 years as Northern California chief for the Horesemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, died Aug. 16 in El Cerrito.

He had resigned from the post in March because of ill health.

Kunz was born in Plymough (sic), Amador County. He attended San Rafael High School and married the former Margaret Ferrier of San Rafael.

Kunz broke into thoroughbred racing by helping his father, Earl (Pinches) Kunz, who trained horses after retiring from a career as a pitcher for the major leagues and Pacific Coast League teams.

Kunz eventually formed his own stable and raced on the fair circuit and at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows. He left training in favor of the horsemen’s association post.

In April, he was honored at a banquet in Oakland in which officials, jockeys, trainers and breeders spoke of his achievements on behalf of the association, including the raising of horesmen’s purses and improvement of conditions at tracks.

In addition to his sister and his wife, Kunz is survived by two sons, Walter E. Kunz of Sacramento and Thomas Kunz of Casa Grande, Ariz., and five grandchildren.

The family prefers memorial gifts to the Jesuit Memorial Fund, Post Office Box 254647, Sacramento 95825.