Patrick Michael Gunkel died on March 14, 2017, at the Newton Wellesley Center for Alzheimer’s Care.
For several years Patrick lived in Woods Hole, where he was known as “the Cat Man,” seen riding his bicycle around town, and on trips to the Vineyard, with a white cat perched on his shoulder. Gunkel was considered a genius, specializing in the science of idionomy, which he described as “the science of ideas.” Born in Chicago on May 1, 1947, Gunkel had an unconventional education, having never received a diploma from any school or college. Nevertheless, for several years he held a position at Massachusetts Institute of Technology developing his thoughts on Idionomy.
After a few years in Princeton, N.J., Patrick returned to West Falmouth, where his health declined.
He is survived by a half-sister, Mary Norton, and a host of friends who hold deep respect for his intellectual accomplishments. Patrick was preceded in death by his sister, Donna; his three brothers, Douglas, George, and William; and by his parents Douglas and Gladys. His Turkish Van cat, Tatiana, now resides with a family on Martha’s Vineyard.
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