Werner Kuhn

Born in Frankfurt, Germany November 17, 1927 and died June 7, 2024 in Pensacola, FL. 

Werner immigrated to the US with his parents Hans and Maria, brother Stephen, two giant Schnauzers and a canary, at the age of 11 in 1939 on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam. They escaped Nazi Germany on one of the last ships to leave. The family settled in Chicago, IL where they made a life for themselves. 

Werner joined the Army at the end of WWII and served as Military Police at the Presidio in San Francisco. Following his military service, he attended Wright Junior College and Northwestern University in Chicago for his undergraduate studies. He obtained a Master’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines, IA, and a doctorate (PhD) from the University of Bonn in Germany. 

Werner enjoyed a long and successful career as a psychologist in Indiana state hospitals, including in Logansport and Indianapolis. His work at Central State Hospital in Indianapolis was recognized at the local and state levels. His mentoring of others furthered their understanding of mental illness and rehabilitation. Werner served as President of the Indiana Psychological Association and was instrumental in getting a law passed legally recognizing psychologists, thereby restricting the title to individuals with the requisite educational and clinical preparation. 

In his personal life, Werner loved listening to classical music, as well as German music, and American Folk music. He was an avid reader, especially of science fiction. We always thought he was born ahead of his time. He embraced technology throughout his life. He understood things in a way that most of us don’t and this only added to his influence with people and understanding of the human condition. Werner was an avid skier, camper, and after his retirement in 1987, a sailor and even more of a world traveler. He sailed his boat throughout the Gulf of Mexico with family and friends. Later, he especially loved to go on cruises, particularly on the Nieuw Amsterdam, with family and friends. 

Werner’s wife, Belinda Puetz, preceded him in death, as did his parents and his brother. Werner leaves his daughters Pamela (Robert Legacy); Lisa (Fernando Trevino); and Linda (Brian Rudolph); granddaughters Katrina and Katherinne Rudolph; beloved nieces Sandra and Lara Kuhn, an extended family with many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, as well as many friends. His was a life well lived; he leaves a legacy of caring and compassion for the mentally ill and a lasting positive influence on the many healthcare professionals who worked with him, as well as instilling a love for travel and cruising to his daughters.