Retired Air Force Colonel Alan R. Kunsemiller died December 17, 2020 following a lengthy battle with dementia. He was born August 24, 1946 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Following his graduation from Xavier University, Ohio, he joined the Air Force and attended Officer Training School in San Antonio, Texas. He later received a Master's degree from Central Michigan University.

He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in February 1968. Colonel Kunsemiller spent all of his 25-year career in the Air Force Communications Command. During his first assignment after training, he was chosen the Strategic Air Command Communications Officer of the Year. Alan served as Commander of Detachment 2, 1989 ^th Communications Group, Menorca, Spain and the 2164 ^th Communications Squadron, Royal Air Force Bentwaters, England. While assigned to the Air Force Communications Command headquarters at Scott AFB, Colonel Kunsemiller led the development and implementation of "Hammer Ace," the Air Force's special purpose, quick reaction communications unit supporting world-wide emergency and disaster relief forces, aircraft and nuclear mishap investigations, civil disaster relief operations and military exercises and communications equipment testing and evaluation. Colonel Kunsemiller established the Air Force Communications-Computer Systems Integration Office and served as the first AFCSIO Director. During one of his last assignments, Colonel Kunsemiller established the Air Force Model Base for Communications-Computer Systems. It provided an operational test-bed for prototyping, demonstrating and validating Air Force wide systems acquisition and implementation. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Colonel Kunsemiller worked as a government contractor for 19 years, continuing to support his beloved Air Force.

Alan was always very active. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis. He was an avid bass fisherman who sometimes fished 12 hours a day. He coached softball, baseball and soccer, completing certification as a FIFA referee. Alan was a member of several church choirs and a barbershop group. He played guitar, banjo, tuba and trumpet. He was a woodworker who made beautiful furniture including a crib, changing table, toddler rocker and wooden toys for his granddaughters. He also made a queen bed, poker table, gaming table, coffee table, bench, hall tree and an entertainment/wine cabinet. He was an avid reader who finished 2-3 books per week.

Alan's parents, Albert and Flo Kunsemiller, preceded him in death.

An incredibly intelligent, warm and accepting man, Alan was devoted to his family. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Karen, whom he married on June 8, 1968; children Jeff DMD, Amy RN and Adam (Elsie Grace PhD) Kunsemiller; granddaughters Audrey, Natalie and Emily Kunsemiller; sister Carol Felix (Wayne Dickson); brother-in-law John (Laura) Sieve; nieces Kristy Sieve (Blake Workman), Tracy (Phillip) Ponticelli and Jennifer Felix; nephews Erik (Tiffany) Sieve, Chris (Kelly) Felix and Andy (Julie) Felix; and 12 great nieces and great nephews.

Please sign the on-line guestbook. There will be a private Memorial Service for the immediate family, and a Celebration of Life in 2021.  Memorials may be sent to the following:

Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S Illinois, Belleville IL 62220;

Heritage at the Colonnade, 700 Weber Rd, O'Fallon IL 62269; or

Memory Care Home Solutions, 4389 West Pine Blvd, St Louis MO 63108.