George Kohler

George Kohler Sept. 11, 1943-March 20, 2012 George is now on to his next big adventure after having been lost in the wilderness of Death Valley. He left the campground of his bike tour and was found several days later. George was committed to assuring fitness for everyone, especially baby boomers. He worked at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center as a fitness trainer for a number of years. Before the fitness bug bit, he owned a printing business, managed a laboratory, and worked in hospital administration. George was born in Oakland, California, to Robert and Carol Kohler. Carol later divorced, married Bud Wigand, and moved to Texas where George grew up and was educated in local schools. He graduated from San Francisco State University and earned a masters degree in hospital administration at the University of Toronto. Across the years, his volunteer activities included the Music Switchboard and the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic. But bike riding was George's passion and he delighted family and friends with his tales of rides across the country, along the Great Divide, in Moab, Molokai, the Badlands, and so many others. George's gentle sweetness made him a people magnet. He definitely left his mark on clients, colleagues, and -most of all-friends. His subtle sense of humor was always warm, and he liked helping people. George will be missed by so many, and especially by his family: devoted wife of 42 years Prudence Nater Kohler; sister Teresa Clifton, Texas; nephew Jacob (Jen), Colorado; niece Liz (Diego and their girls), Texas; cousin John Calhoun, Washington; and brother-in-law Christopher Nater (Kelli), New Mexico. A celebration of George's wonderful life is being planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following: The Death Valley Natural History Assn.'s George Kohler account to support the Death Valley SAR program; to donate, call 1-800-478-8564, ext. 10. OR Inyo County Sheriff's SAR: P.O. Box 982, Bishop, CA 93515. (These donations will be distributed among the agencies that helped with the search: California Rescue Dog Assn.; Inyo, San Bernardino, Kern, Mono, and Tulare Counties' Sheriffs' SAR)