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Frank Kohler Obituary
Kohler, 50, was a past president of the Rotary Club in Lexington Park, Md. As such, he proudly held the title of "King Oyster" at the annual festival celebrating the region's signature bivalve the third weekend of each October.
"He walks around with a crown and robe and gives out candy," said Bob Allen, Kohler's former boss at Lockheed Martin in southern Maryland. "In fact, he was in charge of the beer stand. I used to have that job and when I left, I handed it off to him."
The married father of two college-age daughters had driven up to the Washington Navy Yard for a meeting Monday when the shootings occurred, friends told Allen. Allen said Kohler had taken over for him as site manager for the defense contractor, but that his friend had since left the company. Allen was unsure what business Kohler had at the Navy Yard.
Allen said Kohler, a graduate of Pennsylvania's Slippery Rock College, was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and an avid, though not overly skilled, golfer.
"He could probably shoot in the low 90s," Allen said in a telephone interview Tuesday from Bradenton, Fla. When Allen retired, Kohler picked his gift — a gold pocket watch with the inscription, "From your friends in Lockheed Martin to help you putt into the future."
Kohler lived on the water with his wife, Michelle, an employee at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Allen said his friend loved to boat and fish, and went on frequent hunting trips to Canada.
"A great family man, a Christian, and a great friend," he said. "It just doesn't seem possible. I mean, you hear about these things all the time ... But when you know somebody, it just makes it all the worse ... It's a Huge loss for southern Maryland."
___
Associated Press writers Amanda Kell, Ben Nuckols and Allen G. Breed contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
25 Entries
Carolyn
February 2, 2016
Love & miss you every day. I know God will be with you til we meet again.
R
May 27, 2014
Please accept my sincere prayers that go out to the surviving family and friends may the God of comfort continue to bless you and yours especially after such a tragic loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies. 2 Cor. 1:2,3.
Vasilios Emmanuel Glimidakis
October 16, 2013
Dear Kohler and other families,
I am sorry for your loss. God bless him and his family.
How you can show support
Alison Mellen
September 26, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with this very special family. We love you
~The Mellen Family
Jeff, Sarah and Luke Swartz
September 25, 2013
Michelle and family,
We were saddened to hear of Frank's passing, and we are so sorry for your loss. Such a good neighbor and fine Christian man; he will surely be missed. May the Lord comfort and sustain you with His healing peace.
Love in Christ,
Jeff, Sarah and Luke Swartz
(your Massanutten neighbors)
The Futrell Family
September 24, 2013
May God and His angels be with the Kohler family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Uncle Frank, we will miss you dearly. -Melissa and Sarah
R.I.P.
Jane Graham
September 22, 2013
To the Family of Frank,
May God look upon your families at this time of loss.
I remember us kids all playing together now and again, Jefferson Street/Spring Street/Clay Street back in the day.
My deepest, heartfelt sympathy is with you in your loss of such a good man.
September 22, 2013
2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells every ones are living in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.
September 21, 2013
sorry to here of your loss, Matthew chapter 24, and 25, explains why we are going through so many bad things.
Cindy Pirrera
September 21, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to the Kohler family. Many thoughts and prayers are sent your way. It doesn't seem that long ago when we were all at the same bus stop going to school. May the Lord be with you always. RIP Frank.
Donna Schodroski
September 19, 2013
I was saddened and shocked to learn that Frank was one of the victims in the Navy Yard shootings. I worked for Frank years ago when we both worked for SIR. He was such a nice man, a good boss and friend. I enjoyed working with Frank. Whenever Frank stopped by my office, he always took the time to check to see how I was doing and you could tell he was interested in the employees as people. We always chatted about our families. A special memory I have of Frank was that he commissioned our daughter for her first professional job as an artist. He hired her to paint portraits of their daughters, a surprise for his wife. When they were done, we brought them to the house and had to sneak them in and we followed Frank through the house as we looked for a hiding place, and at the same time we were laughing about trying to "dodge" Michelle so she wouldn't see them. Frank, you will be missed.
Dan Troxell
September 19, 2013
We are deeply saddened by the tragedy. Frank was a great team mate and friend to many working in Mechanicsburg, PA. He is greatly missed ! Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and co-workers.
Chris Perlick
September 19, 2013
All of us that knew Frank realize how blessed we were to have him as a friend and co-worker. He was a man of faith, honesty and friendship. Someone to rely on and enjoy. We will miss him, but never forget him or the joy of knowing him that remains in our memory forever.
James Lillis
September 18, 2013
I was saddened to learn that Frank had been one of the victims at the Washington Navy Yard shooting. I want Michelle to know that she was blessed and I am praying for her and the girls.
September 18, 2013
No words.
Heavens Rest
Renee Fuqua
September 18, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you all as we grieve the tragic loss of this precious soul. He is and will be missed.
a friend
September 18, 2013
RIP Frank
Brenda Riley
September 18, 2013
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Eddie Hartmann
September 18, 2013
My sincerest condolences go out to the family that I grew up with. I have many happy memories of times spent at the Kohler residence. Frankie was blessed with a terrific family and will be dearly missed. Such a terribly sad day.
DStallings
September 18, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
September 18, 2013
Any of us could truly understand your loss. May God give comfort in His words.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one's being born.
Scott Chamberland
September 18, 2013
Please accept my Deepest Sympathies
Maryellen
September 18, 2013
My sincerest condolences for the family and friends of Frank Kohler. A terrible tragedy. May Frank R.I.P.
Robert Hicks
September 17, 2013
What a senseless tragedy. My heart is breaking for Michelle and her daughters. The Pax family is with you all in your time of loss.
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