Manuel Irwin "Irv" Kuhr, 80, of North Main Street died Friday at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late David I. Kuhr and Lena Kurtz Kuhr.

He was a community activist, dedicated teacher, eternal optimist and friend to all.

Mr. Kuhr was a member of the Congregation B'nai Abraham.

He obtained his B.A. and M.A. from Temple University and his Ph.d in 1963 from the University of Missouri. His career included post doctoral study at Pennsylvania State University and Indiana (Pa.) University.

He was an instructor at the University of Missouri, an assistant professor and assistant debate coach at Bradley University, and an instructor and director of forensics at Temple University.

He was a professor at Slippery Rock University from 1961 to 1991. During that time he chaired the Speech Department for 10 years and the Department of Communication in fall 1990. He was professor emeritus at Slippery Rock University from 1991 to present.

He was a member of the National Communication Association, the Pennsylvania Communication Association, past president of the Slippery Rock University Chapter of American Association of University Professors and past president of the Slippery Rock Chapter of the Association of State College and University Faculties.

He served on the boards of the Keystone Tall Tree Girl Scout Council, the Irene Stacy Mental Health Center, the Butler County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Advisory Board, the United Way of Butler County and Temple Hadar Israel. He most recently served on the board of the Institute for Learning in Retirement, was past president of the board of the Mental Health Association of Butler County, and on the board of the Butler Jewish Welfare Fund.

Mr. Kuhr married Lois Grass on Aug. 15,1954, who preceded him in death on Oct. 5, 1995.

Mr. Kuhr is survived by three daughters, Harriet Kuhr of Atlanta, Tina Kuhr of Charlotte, N.C., and Rachel Kuhr of Harrisburg; two grandsons, David and Ben Anthony; a sister, Ada Golden of Houston, Texas; five nieces and nephews; and his significant other, Nancy Thomas Mickle, and her children, John and Laura, Tom and Joanne, Bill, and Katherine.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Mort Kuhr.

<B>KUHR</B> — Friends of Manuel Irwin "Irv" Kuhr, who died Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, will be received from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the <B>THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERALHOME,INC.</B>, 124 E. North St. Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Hazzan Adrienne Caplowe of Congregation B'nai Abraham officiating. Interment will follow in Congregation B'nai Abraham Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Butler County Mental Health Association 140 Elm St., Butler, PA 16001.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.