Howard Kimel

SEDONA, AZ. Howard Fred Kimel lived in Sedona for the past 18 years and before then in Cincinnati for 15 years, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and Washington, DC. He graduated from the University of Maryland in chemistry. He worked for the National Bureau of Standards and for LKB, a Swedish scientific instruments company. He taught chemistry for 12 years at the high school and university levels before starting his own company, Kemtec Educational Corporation, which designed hands-on science kits for the educational market. He later bought Precision Laboratories in Cincinnati, a manufacturer of litmus paper, and he grew the company through research and development of new chemical test strips that are sold worldwide. He was asked by Citizens Democracy Corps, an NGO founded to help the Czech Republic support democratic change and market-oriented economic reform when it was first leaving communism. He worked with business and scientific people there as a volunteer. The contacts he made were instrumental in the growth and success of Precision, which does 40% of its business through the Czech Republic. He then went to South Africa to continue CDC work as a teacher. He became concerned with the lack of science education for youngsters. He developed a mini Petri dish for students to perform experiments and taught them to have a love of science. Howard had a passion for airplanes and was an instructor. He loved to fish, which he did in Florida and in the lakes of the Grand Tetons. At age 14 he began to spend his summers in Yellowstone where he guided visitors, and then in later years he went twice yearly to Grand Teton National Park. He was generous with anyone who needed a hand. If one could convince Howard that he or she had the drive to succeed, Howard was there to provide assistance. He supported family, friends, and new acquaintances who he believed in. He believed in supporting students who have a passion for learning, and he funded scholarships for his high school in Washington, DC. He easily befriended people all over the world and was a consummate storyteller. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Lois (Stagnaro) Kimel, who grew up in Norwood, cousins Jan Armstrong Cobb (Barry) and Ira Weintraub, MD (Robin). He was the son of the late Freda Kimel of San Diego. The family requests memorials to Grand Teton National Park, www.gtnpf.org or Cincinnati Works. Services Friday, August 2, 10 a.m. at Spring Grove Cemetery.

Tributes

Howard Kimel

March 31, 1934 - July 25, 2019