Dan Koehler

Daniel Walter Koehler, Sr., 75, passed away on Friday, November 28, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Born on July 8, 1950, in North Little Rock to Walter H. Koehler and Mary Evelyn Troilett Koehler, Dan grew up with a strong sense of faith, family, and purpose. He attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School and graduated from Catholic High School in 1968, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track, and served as student body president.

Dan continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, earning a B.A. in Economics in 1972. After graduation, he joined the United States Army Reserves and later went on to earn his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, he met the love of his life, Edna Higgins. They were married on July 17, 1976, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

After receiving his CPA, Dan began his career in New York City with Arthur Young as a tax accountant. In 1980, he and Edna returned to Little Rock, where Dan accepted a position with Union National Bank, ultimately serving as Chief Financial Officer. In 1994, he left the financial world to pursue his entrepreneurial vision, founding Koehler Software. There he developed banking and inventory applications, all while continuing to serve as CFO for Southern Bancorp and contributing for many years as a member of its Board of Directors.

Dan was a man of deep intellectual curiosity and creative spirit. He had a lifelong love of reading and maintained a vast personal library, especially cherishing the works of Ernest Hemingway. Music was another of his great passions—he played keyboard in several bands over the years and was also skilled on the guitar and banjo. Whether writing, playing music at all hours, or reading in his favorite chair, Dan approached life with enthusiasm and imagination. Later in life, he turned to writing fiction and proudly self-published ten novels.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Evelyn Koehler. He is survived by his devoted wife, Edna, and their children: Hadley Elizabeth Price (Ryan), Daniel Walter Koehler II (Jennifer), and Christopher Bernard Koehler. He also leaves behind five beloved grandchildren—Hannah, Jack, Leo, Daniel, and Thomas—as well as his brothers, Bob and Ralph Koehler, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m., followed by a rosary and a funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catholic High School or Christ the King Catholic Church.

Smith Little Rock Funeral Home

8801 Knoedl Ct, Little Rock, AR 72205 501-224-2200

www.SmithFamilyCares.com