Alvin Kundert

Alvin Elmer Kundert, 89, died October 5^th, 2014 at his home in Hawley, MN.

Alvin “Al” was born June 26^th, 1925 in Mound City, SD., the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fiedler) Kundert.  He was 9 years old when the family moved to Casselton, ND., where they lived for two years before moving to Fargo.

On April 23^rd, 1943, Al enlisted in the Army Air Corps.  In July 1943, after graduating from Fargo High School, he took basic training at Jefferson Barrick, MO., college training at Eau Claire, WI., State Teacher’s College; was classified at Santa Ana, CA., and completed training at Hondo, TX.  Lt. Alvin, 19, wascommissioned and received navigator’s wings at Hondo, TX. on August 20^th, 1944, and then went on to Florida to attend radio school.  On March 23^rd, 1945, he departed for the Asiatic Pacific.  While stationed on Tinian Island, as navigator of the 504^th Bombardment Group, he took part in 28 bombing missions over Japan in the B-29 Superfortress “Good Deal”.  The “Good Deal” took part in WWII’s longest bombing mission flight.  The flight took them from Tinian to their target where they dropped mines in the Sea of Japan, and returned.  He left Tinian November 28^th, 1945, and was honorably discharged January 8^th, 1946.

After his service, Al worked as a flight instructor and crop sprayer in the Fargo area.  During his flying career, he survived five crashes with only minor injuries.  Al also worked in automobile sales, the auto insurance industry, and other various sales jobs, while living in Minot, ND., and Brainerd, MN.  During Al’s 36 years in Brainerd, he made many life-long friendships with people who shared his interests.  He was very active in the community becoming well-known throughout the surrounding area.

In October 2000, he moved to Hawley, MN.  He always said he “moved there to be closer to his golf cart” at the Ponderosa Golf Course, where he and his brother Del golfed as many as 1,000 or more holes per season.  He made many friends around the area and at Ponderosa Golf course, where he worked part-time until his passing.  Weekly outings were made to the Spot Lite Bar to meet friends for a few pitchers of beer and games of pool and darts.

Al had a very competitive spirit. This came out in his golfing, bowling, softball playing, dart throwing, and various other athletic activities.  He enjoyed all outdoor activities, especially hunting, camping, and fishing.  Softball was also a passion for Al.  He coached women’s slow-pitch teams, and played in the Old Timer’s league, and participated in many tournaments.

While living in Minot, he was president of the ND Bowling Association.  He held many offices in the Brainerd Bowling Association including president.  He was instrumental in organizing tournaments for the association from the 1960’s to the 1980’s.  Al was a very accomplished bowler himself, always ranked at or near the top of the area bowlers.

Al was very proud to be a Veteran and a patriotic American. 

Al is survived by his sons, Randy (Penny) Kundert, Kye (Joy) Kundert; and grandchildren, Sara Macon, and Starr and Jett Kundert; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert “Prince”, Woodrow, and Del; sister, Lillian; and sons, Rocky and Val.