Richard Michael Koehler

1939 - 2021

East Lyme - Richard Michael Koehler, of East Lyme passed away Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. He was born Jan. 7, 1939, in the Bronx, N.Y., the oldest child of the late Harry George Koehler and Esther Burchman Koehler.

Richard grew up on Hering Avenue in the Bronx, N.Y. on the top floor of a three-family house owned by his grandparents, who lived in the same house. He spent his youthful summers in Lake Carmel, N.Y., where he helped his father build the house they lived in.

He attended the Bronx High School of Science where upon graduating was awarded a New York State Regents College Scholarship. He graduated from The City College of New York (CCNY) in 1961 earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He served a six-month tour of duty in the U.S. Army Reserves before returning to CCNY to earn a master's degree in Physics in 1964. Richard moved to Connecticut in 1964, to begin a long career at the U.S Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory in New London, working in the Submarine Electromagnetic Systems Department. His work at NUSC over thirty years covered submarine electromagnetic systems through a wide spectrum of frequencies ranging from ELF to microwaves. Richard's major contribution to the navy was as NUSC's team leader and the Navy's subject matter expert in the development of the Periscope Automatic Direction (ADF) System. The ADF was installed on all 688 and Seawolf class submarines.

The most important event of his life occurred in March 1961 when he went on a blind date arranged by a friend and met the love of his life and his life's companion Valerie Ann Koepper. They were married June 21, 1964, and moved to Connecticut. Richard and Valerie were joined for 57 years in a loving marriage. Besides his beloved wife Valerie, he is survived by his daughter, Cindy Alvarado; son, Daniel Koehler; and his grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan and Callie; as well as his sister Barbara Koehler; brother William Koehler and his wife Patricia; and also his brother-in-law Kenneth Koepper and wife Donna.

Richard was a lifelong reader and was always ready to recommend books on a variety of subjects. No one escaped his listed recommendations. In the last 20 years of his life, he did computer art, displaying his non-representational art at a number of local venues. To Valerie's astonishment he actually sold a number of these art works.

Richard spent a lifetime joyously playing a wide variety of sports beginning in the Bronx playing with "The Bronx 61 Boys". He played the usual "city games" slap ball, stick ball, punch ball, stoop ball etc., along with softball, touch football, baseball, and basketball. When he moved to Connecticut, he continued his sports "career" playing basketball, tennis, racquetball, and as a senior playing pickle ball. He joked that in his next reincarnation he hoped to be able to understand Quantum Mechanics, do plumbing, and to go left with a basketball.

There will be no service. Donation may be made in his memory to Levine and Dixon Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078.