Robert Bob Kohler

He moved to Midway, Florida in 1936, and graduated from Shanks High School. Robert voluntarily enlisted in the Army in 1942, serving in the Air Corps as a Radar Repairman during WWII, then in Japan as part of the reconstruction. Upon return to Tallahassee, he enrolled at the Florida State College for Women (summer enrollment allowed for male students), joined the opening class of the Tallahassee Branch of the University of Florida, and continued as a student at Florida State University when it became coed. He completed both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physics at FSU. He met his future wife, Marie Aiken, at FSU, and they were wed on January 28, 1950 in Tallahassee. Robert worked as an Electronics Engineer at FSU, designing and installing equipment for many departments. Of these, he most enjoyed his work with Winthrop Kellogg, PhD, developing the equipment for the original research on echolocation in porpoises. He designed and built three early Tallahassee radio stations, including the first WFSU AM and FM stations, where he was also the first disc jockey. In addition, Robert along with Bill Ragsdale (“Willie the weatherman”) designed and built WFSU-TV. He also worked at WTAL as an engineer and disc jockey. He became the Radiation Safety Officer at FSU, then worked for the FSU extension programs teaching Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness to county personnel throughout the state. Finally, he worked for the State of Florida in Disaster Planning and nuclear power plant safety. He was known for his ability to find creative solutions to problems, and his ability to make needed equipment out of found materials, recycling and re-purposing before those words were in the dictionary. Robert was constantly being asked to fix equipment for many people, including the late Ruby Diamond, who engaged him to keep her music boxes working, and the Tallahassee Regional Airport, where he was called upon to repair the radar and air traffic control communications systems at many odd hours for years. He enjoyed what his family called “tinkering”, fixing clocks, musical instruments, and electronic equipment of all kinds. Robert was an active member of the Tallahassee Elks Lodge 937 for many years, serving as Tiler from 1990 until his death. He enjoyed traditional Jazz music, and collected a large number of recordings over the years. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marie Aiken Kohler, his children, James Kohler, Lisa Jernigan (Doug), and Lori Kohler, grandchildren (who called him “Oompah”) Emily Kohler, Samuel Rozar, Leah Rozar, Sara Rozar, and Robert Kohler, as well as Ruth Kohler, plus many friends from his work days and the Elks Club.

He was predeceased by his brothers, James Kohler and Gerald Kohler.

A memorial service will be held on his birthday, Monday, October 31, 2011, 4 pm, at the Tallahassee Elks Lodge, 276 N. Magnolia Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Elks Charities, which serves handicapped children, c/o Tallahassee Elks Lodge, 276 N Magnolia Dr, Tallahassee, Florida 32301.