In Loving MemoryAlfred Charles Kuehl Age: 87 Date of Passing: June 4, 2025
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Alfred Charles “Al” Kuehl passed away peacefully at home in Huntsville, Alabama, with Wilma, his wife of sixty-one years by his side.
A Life of Service and Curiosity
Born on August 27, 1937, in Huron, South Dakota, Al was the son of Alfred August Kuehl and Flossie McMillan. He grew up on the family farm alongside his sisters Doris and Eleanor, and his younger brother Gordon. A small-town boy with big dreams, Al’s journey took him from farm life to serving in the United States Navy, where he spent four years working as an Interior Communications Electrician, serving aboard the USS Boxer.
A Passion for Innovation
After his time in the Navy, Al pursued an electrical engineering degree, attending South Dakota State University and later graduating from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1963. While still in college, fate intervened when he met a young nursing student, Wilma Marie Ward, at a dance. The two fell in love and married in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 4, 1964.
Al’s career put him at the heart of groundbreaking technology. Starting at Control Data Corporation in Minneapolis, he worked on the Apollo Space Program, helping develop mainframe computers that propelled astronauts toward the moon. His expertise later led him to Martin Marietta Corporation in Orlando, Florida, before settling in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1973 with Wilma and their four children: Charles, Dale, David, and Denise.
In Huntsville, Al worked on projects that shaped space exploration and defense, contributing to the Viking Satellite, the Mariner-Jupiter Saturn Program, and the MX Missile. In 1977, he transitioned into government work as a Department of the Army Civilian, where he spent nearly three decades on defense programs, including the Pershing II Missile and the Strategic Defense Initiative, eventually retiring in 2004.
A Life Well-Lived
Al’s greatest pride was his family. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Wilma, and their children: Charles (Carla) of Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Dale (Ellen) of Huntsville, Alabama; David (Sheryle) of Whitehouse, Texas; and Denise Moody (Bert) of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Outside of work, Al had a heart for service. He was treasurer at Redeemer Lutheran Church, later volunteering at The Brook in Madison, where he maintained the church grounds, taught math at The Brook Academy, and ran the Angel Food program with Wilma. He coached baseball for his sons, mentored young engineers, and was a lifelong member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Legion.
Remembering Al
Al will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, veteran, engineer, and community servant. His passion for learning, his commitment to his country, and his willingness to help others left a lasting imprint on the world around him. Whether working on space missions or lending a hand at church, he lived a life of purpose and kindness.
Service Information
A memorial service will be held on June 12th at Valhalla Funeral Home, with visitation at 12:00 PM, followed by a service at 1:00 PM. A final prayer will take place in the Valor Garden for Veterans.
In honor of Al’s dedication to science and service, the family encourages donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or the American Parkinson Disease Association.
