Vicki Kunkler, director of publications and communications at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, died Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, of cancer. She was 64.
Kunkler worked in public relations at MIR for more than two decades. She was editor and writer of the institute’s magazine, Focal Spot, and administrator of the MIR website.
Kunkler, who was born in Evansville, Ind., in 1947, joined the staff at MIR in 1988 as a public relations writer, according to Gil Jost, MD, head of the Department of Radiology and director of MIR. She became editor of Focal Spot in 1996.
“Vicki came to know everyone here at Mallinckrodt,” Jost says. “She was meticulous not only at turning out a first-class publication but also at keeping in touch with everything that was going on so she would know exactly when to cover it in Focal Spot.”
“She was very kind, trustworthy and so dedicated to her job,” says Mickey Wynn, director of photography services at MIR and a frequent collaborator with Kunkler. “We will miss her very much.”
“Vicki was a wonderful soul,” says Steve Kohler, former editor of Focal Spot. “She was a delightful person with an upbeat attitude who was always a pleasure to work with.”
Kunkler volunteered at Shriner’s Hospital for many years. She also was a board member at Meds & Food for Kids, a local charity founded by Patricia K. Wolff, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics, to raise money for medicine and food for children in Haiti. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity via its website www.mfkhaiti.org.
In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral services.
Kunkler is survived by sons Todd and Kyle Kunkler and grandchildren Matthew, Joshua and Emma.