Remembering Michael Kuenstle, an architect dedicated to his family Kuenstle died Dec. 12 due to complications from COVID-19 December 21, 2020 | 7:59am EST Michael Kuenstle, a 59-year-old UF School of Architecture associate professor, died Dec. 12 due to COVID-19 complications. [Courtesy to The Alligator: Nancy Clark] Architecture allowed Michael Kuenstle to meticulously design hundreds of structures, but his favorite was the family he built. Kuenstle, a 59-year-old UF School of Architecture associate professor, died Dec. 12 due to COVID-19 complications. Kuenstle is the first professor to die from the virus, UF spokesman Steve Orlando confirmed in a text message. The School of Architecture’s longest-tenured faculty member, Kuenstle was known for his strong commitment to both his professional and personal lives. He served on the board of the Florida Foundation for Architecture, became the state board director of the American Institute of Architects and contributed to numerous architectural publications — all while building a family with his wife and 17-year-old son.