Kenneth Mahler

1922 - 2016

MAHLER

Kenneth, inventor, advertising executive, and local arts patron, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2016. He was 93. Born November 25, 1922 in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, IL, Ken grew up in Scarsdale, NY, graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1940, and attended the University of Texas. During World War II, he served as a communications officer in the US Army, and was stationed in the United States and in Western Europe. After a short time working in the hotel industry, Ken began his career in Advertising as a copywriter on Madison Avenue in Manhattan. His skill and passion for writing commercial advertising copy led to jobs first at Benton & Bowles, then at the Weintraub Agency. In 1958, he answered a blind ad seeking a copywriter who could "write like people talk". As it turned out, that ad was for a position with Cincinnati ad agency Stockton West Burkhart where he was immediately hired. He later worked for Northlich Stolley; Kircher, Helton & Collett; and the Burgoyne Company, and was creative head for local iconic brands including Rubel's Rye Bread, Partridge Meats, and Trailmobile. Answering that blind ad led not only to a new job in Cincinnati, but was an event that determined the course of Ken's life from then on. Soon after arriving here, a blind date was arranged between Ken and the former Mary Perin "Murph" Taft. Three weeks later, Ken proposed, and they were married in April 1960. The marriage endured for nearly 50 years, until Murph's death in 2009. In 1970, recognizing a need in the leisure industry, Ken invented the world's first non-inflatable, unsinkable swimming pool float. With the intention of internationally marketing his new invention, he left advertising to start a new venture, The Sunfloat Company, in 1971. He was granted his first of three US patents on July 4, 1972. Ken and Murph, along with John and Ruth Sawyer, co-founded The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati in 1987, where their continued patronage nurtured and sustained the venture for over twenty years. In his later years, Ken pursued a lifelong interest in horse racing. He was actively involved in several racing syndicates, and was the sole owner of The Belle of Perintown, winner of the 2002 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs. Ken was a dedicated volunteer for Hospice of Cincinnati, Meals on Wheels, and Caracole House, as well as being a generous supporter of numerous local and national charities and humanitarian causes. In addition to two sons, Kenneth T. Mahler (Molly) of Cincinnati, and Perin H. Mahler (Melanie), of Laguna Beach, CA, Ken is survived by his sister Mari M. Halsey of Kennebunk, ME. His brother, John I. Mahler, died in 1995. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Sarah E. Mahler of Pittsburgh, Adam T. Mahler of Cincinnati, and Max H. Mahler of Laguna Beach, CA. A fourth grandchild, Lily Mahler, died at birth. Ken also leaves his nieces Karen N. Halsey of Kennebunk, ME; Holly Halsey of El Cajon, CA; nephews Dudley S. Taft, Jr., Thomas W. "Woody" Taft, both of Cincinnati; and the late Douglas D. Halsey. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at The Camargo Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.Condolences at rohdefuneral.com