David A. Kaechele

David A. Kaechele, the Henrico County supervisor who oversaw the Three Chopt district for more than three decades as it was transformed from mostly rural farmland into a flourishing commercial and residential center, was remembered by colleagues as an even-tempered, steady leader who deftly brokered compromise.

Mr. Kaechele, who served on the Henrico County Board of Supervisors for 36 years, died Friday morning of kidney failure. He was 85. Flags in front of county offices were ordered to fly at half-staff by County Manager John Vithoulkas.

He was such a calming influence on so many,” Vithoulkas said. “He had a very steady hand. Ultimately, he was obviously my boss but he was also a father figure.”

A public servant so influential the county named an elementary school after him, Mr. Kaechele chaired the board nine times and was vice chairman six times. He retired in December 2015 after serving longer than any other Henrico supervisor under the county’s modern form of government.

Before Mr. Kaechele took office, development beyond Parham Road and West Broad Street was little. During the more than three decades he served, Innsbrook took shape and its location helped pave the way for the development of Short Pump — one of the Richmond region’s most popular commercial destinations.

Tommy Branin, who was appointed to the county’s planning commission by Mr. Kaechele before succeeding him on the Board of Supervisors, said that the Henrico community is greater for his mentor’s vision. Mr. Kaechele encouraged Branin to seek the elected position.

“He was never controversial and always a statesman,” Branin said. “The only reason I got in politics, stayed in politics, was him. His passion for Henrico fostered my passion.”

A native of Allegan, Mich., Mr. Kaechele graduated from Michigan State University and was a retired development engineer for Reynolds Metals Co. and a U.S. Army veteran. He joined the Board of Supervisors in 1980.

His daughters, Karen Kaechele Costantino and Kathy Kaechele Raouf, said Henrico became part of their family. In his private life, their father was a man of faith and carried himself with the same character, integrity and sense of humor as he did in the public, they said.

In the decade after his wife died, his daughters said he traveled, played games and spent time with his companion Erna van den Nieuwenhuizen. She nursed him when he was sick and was “profoundly important to his happiness,” Kaechele Raouf said.

Mr. Kaechele suffered from a heart attack in the middle of August and moved in with Kaechele Raouf as he recovered. He carried on without complaining, Kaechele Raouf recalled, and worked his way up to walking 2 miles each day.

“It was like grace in the face of suffering. It was amazing,” Kaechele Costantino said. “We’re all inspired to make a difference and serve because of his example — and to do our best in school and life.”

As a Virginia Association of Counties board member, Mr. Kaechele was able to help reconcile competing desires between representatives of rural, suburban and urban counties.

“His quiet demeanor was extremely effective in settling down any potential controversies, he was able to reflect that calmness in his leadership and really create an environment that was beneficial to all,” said James Campbell, a retired executive director of VACO. “Getting people to compromise … he was very, very good at accomplishing that.”

The list of people who recalled Mr. Kaechele as a firm, effective leader kept growing Friday.

To former county manager Virgil Hazelett, he was a mild-mannered “Virginia gentleman.”

To Fairfield supervisor Frank Thornton, he was a man “who respected the dignity of the person.”

He “put his heart into what he did,” said board chairman Dick Glover, and was “the guy that kind of kept us together,” said Varina supervisor Tyrone Nelson.

Tuckahoe supervisor Pat O’Bannon described him, simply, as “first class.”

Survivors include his daughters, five grandchildren and van den Nieuwenhuizen. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Kaechele.

A visitation will be held on Sunday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and on Monday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road. Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, 7000 Park Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Kaechele Elementary PTA or the Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church.

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