Deceased August 24, 2009
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In Memory
Paul Isaac Kuniholm, M.D. ’55 passed away in Chatham, Mass., on Aug. 24, 2009, at age 76. He is survived by his brother, John G. Kuniholm ’50; a daughter, Alexandra Heilala; a son, George G. Kuniholm ’88; three nieces; a nephew; and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Hallett Kuniholm (Mount Holyoke ’56).
In addition to his brother and son, Paul’s Amherst relatives include nieces Julie Weaver ’80, Nancy Aronhalt ’83 and Wendy Sullivan ’88.
Paul lived in Morris Pratt dormitory freshman year. He joined Phi Gamma Delta, where he earned the nickname “Moose.” Following graduation, he and Carter Burdett ’55 traveled cross-country, visiting almost every state.
Paul enjoyed playing chess, Scrabble and bridge. He met his wife as she was “sitting bells” (reception) at Mount Holyoke when he asked her to be their fourth for bridge.
Paul earned his M.D. at Tufts Univ. He practiced child and adult psychiatry in Hingham, Mass., until 2004, when he retired to Cape Cod.
Paul loved classical music while growing up in Gardner, Mass. At Amherst, he listened to the Zumbyes, and later, he brought his family to the opera in Boston. One of his fondest memories was of attending a reception for Beverly Sills put on by Sarah Caldwell of the Boston Opera Company.
A sailor and skier, he owned, over the years, five cruising yachts from 23 to 34 ft., one named Sabrina. During vacations, he cruised around the British Virgin Islands in bare boat charters.
Paul had a vacation house at Hawk Resort in Plymouth, Vt., on Lake Amherst, in a town that is the birth and resting place of Calvin Coolidge.
Paul always spoke fondly of Amherst and the value of a disciplined, liberal arts education. This value will be held for future generations of the family.
George G. Kuniholm ’88