Advertisement

Terry Jodok Kohler

Advertisement

Terry Jodok Kohler

Birth
Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA
Death
20 Sep 2016 (aged 82)
Sheboygan, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, USA
Burial
Burial Details Unknown Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Married:
1) Diana "Danny" Prange 1956 (D 1976).
2) Mary (Stewart) Simpson 1981.

Captain (Ret) - United States Air Force
Strategic Air Command

Kohler, Terry J. 1934-2016

Terry J. Kohler, 82, of Sheboygan, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 20, 2016 at his residence.

Born May 14, 1934, in Sheboygan, Kohler was the only son of the late former Governor Walter J. Kohler, Jr. and Marie Celeste (McVoy) Holden Kohler. In 1952, Terry graduated high school from the Admiral Farragut Academy. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959 where he earned his pilot's wings and flew T-33 fighter jets and also B-47 bombers with the Strategic Air Command, including missions over Russia. Kohler achieved the rank of Captain.

In 1962, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, majoring in industrial management. A year later, he earned an MBA in the same field from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

On January 2, 1981, Kohler was united in marriage to Mary Stewart Simpson at St. Boniface Church in Mequon, WI. Together, they were active members of Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan.

Kohler started working in the family business, The Vollrath Company, in 1963. In 1976, he became the seventh President of the company. He became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1982, and under his leadership the company expanded dramatically. In July 1984, Kohler purchased North Sails, a leading global manufacturer of racing and cruising sails, from its founder, Lowell North. In January 1989, North Sails and The Vollrath Company became separate corporations under Windway Capital Corp., a holding company. Kohler was President and Chairman of the Board of Windway Capital Corp., Chairman of The Vollrath Company, and past Chairman of North Technology Group.

Kohler loved the outdoors and was a sports enthusiast, racing sports cars in the mid 1960s, and spending six years on the National Ski Patrol. Kohler was a life member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and the International Crane Foundation. Kohler and his wife Mary were instrumental in the ultra-light led Whooping Crane Recovery Project between Wisconsin and Florida. In 2009, they were awarded the Charles Lindbergh Award, which is given annually to individuals whose work over many years has made significant contributions toward Lindbergh's concept of balancing technology and nature.

Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, Kohler continued his love of flying by owning and piloting many types of aircraft, including helicopters. He was also a founding member of the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin. Kohler and his wife Mary have been advocates for strong families and started several organizations including Great Marriages for Sheboygan County.

Kohler was passionate about conservative politics, and was Wisconsin's GOP candidate for Governor in 1982, and a GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1980. He and Mary helped craft the "Contract with America" with Newt Gingrich and other Congressional Republicans.

Kohler was a man known to many—sailors, aviators, entrepreneurs, leaders of industry, politics and economics. Traveling in these circles of influence he was able to recognize and follow God's plan for him. "My purpose is to share my wealth by taking an economic role in helping others less fortunate or in need," Kohler once said.

Kohler is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Stewart Kohler; his children, Leslie Kohler, Michelle Kohler, Danielle (Bob Buckley) Kohler, Charlie (Anne) Ferrell, Doug (Mindy) Ferrell, Chris (Isolde) Ferrell and Joseph (Kari) Simpson; 13 grandchildren, Hilary (Nathan Imfeld) Hawley, Winter Kohler, Torri (Charlie Bowe) Hawley, Kashon Kohler, Lilly Kohler, David Kohler, Laura (Grant) Riedesel, Cack (Doug) Wilhelm, Jack Ferrell, Peter Ferrell, Alan Ferrell, Mary Ferrell, and Grace Ferrell; four great grandchildren, Walter Jacob Kohler Imfeld, Freddy Riedesel, William Riedesel and Tobias Ferrell; cousins, other relatives, and many friends around the world. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Charlotte Nicolette "Niki" Kohler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Grace Episcopal Church, 7th & Ontario Avenue. The Rev. Fr. Karl C. Schaffenburg, Rector, will officiate. Family and friends are invited to greet the family at Grace Episcopal Church on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be lived streamed starting at 11:00 a.m. at http://www.gracesheboygan.com/index.php/streaming

A memorial fund has been established in his name for the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan "SEAS" and Nashotah House Theological Seminary.

The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Terry's arrangements.

"I try to live my life faithfully, quietly doing the job the Lord assigned me. I am not worried or afraid of dying because I am just an instrument. I will be here until my work for HIM is finished." - Terry
Published in Sheboygan Press
Married:
1) Diana "Danny" Prange 1956 (D 1976).
2) Mary (Stewart) Simpson 1981.

Captain (Ret) - United States Air Force
Strategic Air Command

Kohler, Terry J. 1934-2016

Terry J. Kohler, 82, of Sheboygan, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 20, 2016 at his residence.

Born May 14, 1934, in Sheboygan, Kohler was the only son of the late former Governor Walter J. Kohler, Jr. and Marie Celeste (McVoy) Holden Kohler. In 1952, Terry graduated high school from the Admiral Farragut Academy. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959 where he earned his pilot's wings and flew T-33 fighter jets and also B-47 bombers with the Strategic Air Command, including missions over Russia. Kohler achieved the rank of Captain.

In 1962, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, majoring in industrial management. A year later, he earned an MBA in the same field from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

On January 2, 1981, Kohler was united in marriage to Mary Stewart Simpson at St. Boniface Church in Mequon, WI. Together, they were active members of Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan.

Kohler started working in the family business, The Vollrath Company, in 1963. In 1976, he became the seventh President of the company. He became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1982, and under his leadership the company expanded dramatically. In July 1984, Kohler purchased North Sails, a leading global manufacturer of racing and cruising sails, from its founder, Lowell North. In January 1989, North Sails and The Vollrath Company became separate corporations under Windway Capital Corp., a holding company. Kohler was President and Chairman of the Board of Windway Capital Corp., Chairman of The Vollrath Company, and past Chairman of North Technology Group.

Kohler loved the outdoors and was a sports enthusiast, racing sports cars in the mid 1960s, and spending six years on the National Ski Patrol. Kohler was a life member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, and the International Crane Foundation. Kohler and his wife Mary were instrumental in the ultra-light led Whooping Crane Recovery Project between Wisconsin and Florida. In 2009, they were awarded the Charles Lindbergh Award, which is given annually to individuals whose work over many years has made significant contributions toward Lindbergh's concept of balancing technology and nature.

Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, Kohler continued his love of flying by owning and piloting many types of aircraft, including helicopters. He was also a founding member of the Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin. Kohler and his wife Mary have been advocates for strong families and started several organizations including Great Marriages for Sheboygan County.

Kohler was passionate about conservative politics, and was Wisconsin's GOP candidate for Governor in 1982, and a GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1980. He and Mary helped craft the "Contract with America" with Newt Gingrich and other Congressional Republicans.

Kohler was a man known to many—sailors, aviators, entrepreneurs, leaders of industry, politics and economics. Traveling in these circles of influence he was able to recognize and follow God's plan for him. "My purpose is to share my wealth by taking an economic role in helping others less fortunate or in need," Kohler once said.

Kohler is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Stewart Kohler; his children, Leslie Kohler, Michelle Kohler, Danielle (Bob Buckley) Kohler, Charlie (Anne) Ferrell, Doug (Mindy) Ferrell, Chris (Isolde) Ferrell and Joseph (Kari) Simpson; 13 grandchildren, Hilary (Nathan Imfeld) Hawley, Winter Kohler, Torri (Charlie Bowe) Hawley, Kashon Kohler, Lilly Kohler, David Kohler, Laura (Grant) Riedesel, Cack (Doug) Wilhelm, Jack Ferrell, Peter Ferrell, Alan Ferrell, Mary Ferrell, and Grace Ferrell; four great grandchildren, Walter Jacob Kohler Imfeld, Freddy Riedesel, William Riedesel and Tobias Ferrell; cousins, other relatives, and many friends around the world. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Charlotte Nicolette "Niki" Kohler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Grace Episcopal Church, 7th & Ontario Avenue. The Rev. Fr. Karl C. Schaffenburg, Rector, will officiate. Family and friends are invited to greet the family at Grace Episcopal Church on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. For those unable to attend, the Mass will be lived streamed starting at 11:00 a.m. at http://www.gracesheboygan.com/index.php/streaming

A memorial fund has been established in his name for the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan "SEAS" and Nashotah House Theological Seminary.

The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Terry's arrangements.

"I try to live my life faithfully, quietly doing the job the Lord assigned me. I am not worried or afraid of dying because I am just an instrument. I will be here until my work for HIM is finished." - Terry
Published in Sheboygan Press


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement