Aug. 15, 1931-April 20, 2024
After a long and beautifully rich life, LeRoy Robert Kuehl passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cedar City, Utah, surrounded by his loving wife and two sons.
LeRoy was a much-admired biochemistry professor, a scientist and a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. More importantly, he was a devoted and adoring husband to Barbara and wonderful mentor to his children. To his progeny, he imbued his sense of humor and the ability to sit transfixed as he spun adventure yarns where the hero had a name very similar to that of the listener. While LeRoy was a stickler for order, his stern demeanor quickly softened when he was near Barbara. One could practically see his heart melting.
LeRoy was born in Ketchikan, Alaska, to Eric and Marie Kuehl and grew up in Springville, Utah, and Davenport, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1953 and received his master’s degree from Oregon State University in 1955. After serving two years in the U.S. Army as a draftee, he enrolled in a Ph.D. program in biochemistry at the University of California/Berkeley in 1957. It was there, in the International House, he met Barbara Eschmann, his “Boo.”
They were married in 1959 and moved to Tübingen, Germany, in 1961 where LeRoy worked for three years as a post-doc at the Max Planck Institute of Biology. Returning to the States in 1964, LeRoy began a 30-year career in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Utah.
Ever the modest man, LeRoy never touted his astonishing array of awards including the 1982 University of Utah Distinguished University Teaching Award. His legacy lives on through his poetry. The “Paradox” poem is often cited by university professors throughout the country. “Amino Acid Tales,” written in the style of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” is widely used in biochemistry courses for freshman medical students when presenting an otherwise tedious topic. LeRoy’s students were frequently surprised when Dr. Kuehl greeted them on the first day of class by name. Throughout the summer prior to when fall classes began, he would create an index card for each of the 100 freshman medical students with their picture and short biography. It was not uncommon to see LeRoy with a stack of index cards tucked into his shirt pocket which he would shuffle through whenever he had a spare minute. LeRoy loved teaching and the students loved him right back. He took two one-year international sabbaticals at the University of Calgary and the University of Malta where he was a Fulbright Fellow teaching biochemistry to medical students.
LeRoy imparted his love of wilderness first to his family through backpacking, hiking, and camping trips and later to his grandchildren through many adventures in the southern canyons of Utah. He was a strong advocate for preserving the natural beauty of the wild lands. He was active in the Wasatch Mountain Club, serving in several positions including president. Challenging the need for more coal-fired power plants kept him busy by training others and testifying before various government agencies including the Public Service Commission.
Upon LeRoy’s retirement from the University of Utah in 1994, he and Barbara moved to New Harmony, Utah, where they built their dream home with glorious views of Zion National Park’s Kolob Fingers. Their travels extended pole to pole – from canoeing the Coppermine River into the Arctic Ocean to traveling to Antarctica aboard an icebreaker. Together they visited 85 countries on all seven continents.
Just as they introduced their grandchildren to Utah’s red rock, they shared their wanderlust with family trips to Guadeloupe, Belize, France, Costa Rica and Spain. LeRoy enjoyed classical music including opera. He attended the Community Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Outback Club of Southern Utah and the Cedar Mountain Nordic Ski Club. One proud affiliation was his membership and emeritus status in the Western Geezers Association, made up of a large group of canoeing friends.
LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, brother Grant and daughter Laurel. He leaves behind his wife Barbara, children Eric (Janet Bogus) and Brian (Michelle Sullivan), son-in-law John Martinak and seven grandchildren: Alex and Laurel Kuehl, Peter and Andrew Martinak and Patrick, Maggie and Catie Kuehl. He is also survived by his sisters Viviann Kuehl, Sue Pederson and Jeanne Correll.
A celebration of his life will be held at his beloved home in New Harmony on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. Text 435-592-9784 if you plan to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Conserve Southwest Utah, or Orchestra of Southern Utah.
A plaque given to LeRoy by a class of students bears this fitting tribute.
The Man Knocked On The Pearly Gates,
His Face Was Scarred And Old.
He Stood Before The Man of Fate,
For Admission To The Fold.
“What Have You Done,” St. Peter Asked,
“To Gain Admission Here?”
“I’ve Taught Med. Students Biochemistry,
For Many And Many A Year.”
The Pearly Gates Swung Open Wide
As St. Peter Touched The Bell.
“Come In And Choose Your Harp My Son
You’ve Had Your Share Of Hell.”