Dr. Edward C. Kuhl, Jr.

Edward C. Kuhl, Jr. “Ed” of Bel Air, former Director of Personnel and Dean of Students at Harford Community College, died January 12 peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. He was 73.

Born March 22, 1931 in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Edward C. and Gertrude C. Kuhl of Baltimore. He married Dorothy Kuhl on February 6, 1954 and recently celebrated his golden, 50- year wedding anniversary with many relatives and friends. He and Dorothy were “high school sweethearts” and knew one another as life partners for almost 60 years.

In addition to Ed’s beloved wife, Dorothy M. Lowe, Ed is survived by a sister, Joan Phillips of Annapolis. He is also survived by four daughters, Diane Mitchell and her husband, Brian Mitchell of Norrisville, MD; Jane Kuhl and her husband, Drew Denton, of Baltimore, MD; Joanne Green and her husband, Steve Green, of Bel Air, MD and Angela Kuhl of Parkville, MD. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Kevin Denton of Dearborn, Michigan and Lila Mitchell of Norrisville, MD and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was a well-educated man starting with his early professional career as General Science teacher at both Clifton and Patterson Park High Schools. He gained extensive experience as both instructor and student guidance counselor throughout his fulfilling career. Colleagues, friends and family often sought advice from Ed on numerous subject matters due to his wealth of knowledge on many subjects and his ability to listen and offer excellent counsel.

He attended Fourteen Holy Martyrs School graduating in 1945 and Mt. St. Joseph College in 1949 where he served as President of the Press Club of the Catholic Youth Organization. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology from the University of Maryland in 1954 with a Minor in Psychology and was 25 year member (Silver Circle) of the Alpha Tan Omega Fraternity. He received his Master of Arts Degree in Guidance in 1962 from Columbia University, New York. Additionally he took sabbatical in 1975 from his professional career and obtained his PhD in Education, Counseling and Student Services from the University of Maryland.

Shortly after his marriage in February 1954, Ed joined the US Air Force and resigned his commission as First Lieutenant in 1956. He was stationed in Bijoux, Mississippi and Newfoundland, Canada. He maintained many friendships from his time spent in Newfoundland with fellow officers.


Ed was one of the first faculty members at Harford Junior College (now Harford Community College or HCC) appointed Director of Student Guidance and Student Personnel Services in September 1964. Ed was later promoted to Dean of Students at Harford in April 1965. He also served as President of Council of Social Services during this timeframe. He worked extensively with Harford County commissioners to adopt a housing code to provide federally financed housing for those students wishing to attend the College that were in financial need. Additionally he was elected as Program Director of Maryland/DC Advisory Council of the American College Testing Program (ACT). This national corporation conducted and administered educational research, testing, measurement and other programs for American colleges and universities.

In 1986, Ed retired at the age of 55 as Director of Personnel from Harford Community College after 22 years of dedicated service. After retirement, Ed developed many and varied interests. He was an avid computer enthusiast, enjoyed tending his beautiful herb gardens and bonsai trees. He was an avid reader throughout this lifetime and was a member of a book club with some of his very close friends from HCC. He rescued and adopted many pets and had an extensive clock collection-over 140 in total. He enjoyed photography and videography, often documenting family events and other special occasions. Ed was also a sculptor, talented wood craftsman creating several works of art during his lifetime.

Ed published his memoirs in a documentary entitled “The Shoemaker’s Son” which chronicled his life growing up in Baltimore City.He painstakingly researched his birthplace and made an exact model replica of the house, made by hand, of the house he grew up in Baltimore and created a journal which outlined the research on this extensive project.

Pallbearers will be Drew Denton, Kevin Denton, Steve Green, Brian Mitchell, Bill Gibson and John Haggerty.

Those who desire may contribute in memory of Edward C. Kuhl, Jr. to Chesapeake Cancer Alliance, PO Box 572, Bel Air, MD 21014 or Harford Hospice Care, 8003 Corp. Drive, Suite G, Baltimore, MD 21236.