Donald H. Kuhlman

It is with great sadness that we announce that our dad, Donald H. Kuhlman, quietly passed away on March 3, 2023, after a courageous and long fought battle with multiple health issues. Donald was born on March 31, 1944. At age three, he was adopted, or as he would say, “thankfully chosen”, by his parents, Helen D. (Kole) and William H. Kuhlman of Maplewood, NJ. He grew up there, along with his adopted older brother, William P. Kuhlman, who predeceased him. His parents moved to Pinellas Park, FL when Donald was in his twenties.  They resided there for over 30 years, until his father’s passing, at which time he moved his mom back to the Northeast so he could care for her for the remainder of her life.

Donald graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. While at Bradley, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara (Welsch). After graduating, they moved back to New Jersey, where they proudly welcomed daughters, Stacey and Kimberly (Kimmie). While Donald and Barbara divorced, they remained lifelong friends.

Donald had a successful career in sales with various companies before landing a job at Elbe Products, a looseleaf binder manufacturer. As one of their top producers, he relocated to the Washington, D.C. area in the early 1970s. While there, he met and married his longtime love, Candace Puza. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Regional Sales Manager at Elbe’s headquarters in Fall River, MA. That is when he moved to his “happy place” in Mattapoisett, where he and Candace welcomed and raised their wonderful son, Donald William Kuhlman (Donnie).

Donald’s incredible sales acumen eventually led him to branch off with some of his close colleagues to co-found their own bindery, Advanced Looseleaf Technologies, where he served as President for many years. He was so proud of the time he spent working with the entire team at ALT, and he joyfully spoke about his tenure there until his passing. Donald and Candace also divorced, but he always remained grateful for the fond times they spent together.

Donald’s favorite pastimes were fishing, clamming, crabbing, and watching all types of sports, especially horse racing and basketball. Although he joked that he often fished more than he caught, he always said that many of the best times of his life were spent casting for “big ones” with his father, friends, colleagues and family. He loved playing cribbage and poker, and buying his daily scratch tickets. He was a master at trivia thanks to “Kurt Vonnegut”, and his ability to make up silly names for things when he didn’t know the answer.  He made no apologies for his sweet tooth, his love of a good rare steak, or his many cups of coffee with three sweet and lows. He will surely be remembered by everyone he came in contact with as perhaps the funniest and most personable man that they had ever met.

Donald leaves behind his loving children, Stacey Darr and her husband Gary; Kimberly Rejewski and her husband Rob; and his son, Donald W. Kuhlman. He also leaves behind his three adoring grandchildren, Jonathan Norton, Grace (Gracie) Rejewski, and Madeline (Maddie) Rejewski, who were his pride and joy. Barbara, Candace and countless others, will also always hold a very special place for him in their hearts.

Donald’s wishes were to be cremated and for his ashes to be spread across his favorite fishing spots, where he found so much peace and contentment. A private celebration of his life will be held with his immediate family at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald’s name to the Dementia Society of America. Condolences or any heartwarming memories that you would like to share about Donald can be posted in the Send Condolences tab in the upper left hand corner of this notice.