David Arthur Koehler

KOEHLER Commander David Arthur Koehler, 62, United States Naval Reserve (Ret.), of Superior, died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous 15 month battle with pancreatic cancer. David was born in Superior on July 17, 1945, son of Henry W. and Anna Grace (Roscoe) Koehler. David graduated from UWS in January 1968, and Officer's Candidate School, in Newport, RI, where he received his commission as a Navy Ensign, in June 1968. He served his country in the United States Navy; on active duty for 15 years, 18 years in the navy reserves and retired in 1995 as a Navy Commander. He also worked for the CIA for 21 years, retiring in 2004, where he received many commendation awards. David and his family lived in various parts of the country, as well as overseas. David enjoyed hunting and the Green Bay Packers, but mostly his family. He was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather, as well as a very loyal friend and mentor to many people who often said that David changed their lives. He was very influential to many individuals and, as a mentor, he encouraged people to not only do the best they can in their careers, but to also do €better" as a family man/woman. David was preceded in death by his father, Henry (Bud) Koehler. David is survived by his wife, Sue, of 42 years; two daughters, Michelle (Ken) Meyer, Middleburg, FL; Shari (Alan) Van Loon, Hermantown, MN; four grandsons, Tyler Arthur Meyer, Middleburg, FL; David Alan, Daniel Murray and Samuel Mark Van Loon, Hermantown, MN; mother, Anna Grace Koehler, Hermantown, MN; sister, Mary Ann (Bill) Homewood, Surprise, AZ; two brothers, Joseph (Laurel) Koehler, Superior, WI; and Robert (Rita) Koehler, Bloomington, MN; and many nieces and nephews. VISITATION:5:00 pm, Friday, May 23, 2008, in the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior, where a 6:30 pm rosary is scheduled. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 24, 2008, in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. James Tobolski as celebrant. Burial will follow at the St. Francis Cemetery, Superior.Pallbearers for the service will be Bob Erdman, Greg Guenard, Ryan and Al Nordrum, and Chuck Shaul. Honorary pallbearers will be Alycia Dammer, Melissa Egolf, Christopher Homewood, Abby Koehler, Adam Koehler, Anna Koehler and Andrew Koehler.The family extends a €special thanks" to Dr. Lloyd Ketchum, Janna Carlson, RN, and other staff in the oncology department at SMDC for their compassion and special care they showed David during the past 15 months.David was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.


This obituary was originally published in the Duluth News Tribune.