Kimmel Fudge

September 22, 1930 - March 17, 2026

Kimmel was raised in southern California by his parents Robert and Maxine Fudge. Kim was active in scouting and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1948, Kim moved to attend Stanford University on a scholarship, for which his parents were very proud. While at Stanford, he was active in the El Cuadro Eating Club, the Rifle Club, Ping Pong Club, Choir and the ROTC. Kim maintained many of his college friendships over the decades. After university, Kim spent two years in the Army artillery during the Korean War and was promoted to Captain. The day the Armistice Agreement was signed, Kim was sent to Hawaii, Midway, Japan, and then to Korea. When he returned from Korea, he re-enrolled in Stanford on the GI bill, where he obtained his MBA in 1956.

Kim married Joan Thatcher in 1955 and they had three children. He spent his 48-year career in Life and Casualty insurance, and his clients still speak warmly of him.

Kim remarried in 1970 to Julie Deabill. Kim and Julie built a house in the Santa Cruz mountains (which they rebuilt after the Loma Prieta earthquake) and resided there for 45 years until Julie's passing.

Kim felt fortunate to have traveled a great deal and to many countries. He was very active in St John's Episcopal church, especially in outreach. He provided financial assistance to South American and Kenyan children for many years. Kim sang in a Barbershop Quartet for six years in Santa Cruz. He loved to play ping pong, pool, bridge, and Rummikub with his friends, and continental rummy and cribbage with his family.

Kim was very thankful for his good health and for being so active for his 95 years. He would like to be remembered for working hard to provide for his family, being fair, competitive, for his love of nature, animals and birds, being an artist, and for having the infamous Fudge sense of humor.

Kim loved living at Dominican Oaks for his last 10 years, where he met Mary Roth, who became the love of his life. He was thankful for having the support of his family and his friends at the Oaks to continue to live independently.

Kim is survived by his children Debora, Robert (Karen), and Laura, and his two grandchildren. He was well loved and is deeply missed.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 12, 2026