Death Again Hits Close To Home

Today's (Nov. 5, 2019) edition of the Brookings Register contained the obituary for Chuck Kohler, brother of Jim in our class (https://www.feigumfh.com/obituary/charles-kohler).  Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Jim and his family at this difficult time. 

Charles Carr Kohler, 62, passed away October 31, 2019, in Sioux Falls at Avera Health due to complications with pulmonary embolism. A visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00pm, Thursday, November 7 at Calvary United Pentecostal Church, followed by a memorial service at 2:00pm. A luncheon after the memorial service will be served at Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center Museum in Ft. Pierre.
Charles (Chuck) was born on November 29, 1956, in Minneapolis, MN, to Dr. Paul and Phyllis Kohler and was raised in Brookings, SD. In 1978, Chuck moved to Pierre, SD, where he became owner of the Country Kitchen Family Restaurant. After moving to Pierre, Chuck met the love of his life, Joan (Opbroek) Kohler, and in 1981, they began a beautiful journey of a blessed marriage. Three of their greatest blessings were their children: Bethany, Steven, and Lisa.
Chuck’s priorities in life were simple: faith, family, and friends. His life was forever changed for the better when he received the gift of the Holy Ghost at Calvary United Pentecostal Church and many of his most precious moments were in the house of God. He was dedicated to his family and enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the park and to feed the geese at the capitol lake pond. His friends, often receiving a daily phone call from him, knew him as a kind man who enjoyed playing golf, pool, and pinochle.
Grateful for having shared Chuck’s life is his wife of 38 years, Joan Kohler; his children, Bethany (Kirk) Peters, Steven (DeLacie) Kohler, and Lisa (Dan) Park; grandchildren: Levi and Isaac Peters; Austin, Logan, and Brooklyn Kohler; and Dawson and Paisley Park; mother: Phyllis Kohler; brothers: Jim (Mary) Kohler, Paul (Cleo) Kohler, and Tom Kohler; sister: Nancy (Rick) Stubbs; and numerous other nieces and nephews. Preceding Chuck in death was his father, Dr. Paul Kohler.

A Nation Mourns

Today is Friday, November 22, 2019.  56 years ago was also Friday, November 22, 1963.  Probably all of us can remember exactly where we were when we heard that our president had been assassinated during the noon hour.  No more needs to be said to remind us of that fateful and tragic day in our history. 

91 Fulfilling Years

One of the effects of being in activities during our school years is that we make friends with those in other classes.  How many lifelong friendships have been formed because we were on the same athletic teams, debate squads, band and choir groups, school clubs, church affiliations, and other similar organizations?

Our teener baseball team of 1965 consisted of 15 boys ages 13-15.  Because some of our birthdays fell just before or just after the cut-off date for starting school, there was a gap of four school years between the older and younger players.  As previous posts have indicated (https://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/2013/05/), we did have a rather exceptional season that summer.  One of the many key players on that team was Barry Buehler, who was a year ahead of us in school.  Barry was a talented all-around athlete, competent in football, basketball, and track and field. 

On our trip to Hershey for the national teener baseball tournament, a number of fathers acted as chaperones.  One of those fathers was Barry's dad, Russ.  Russ was an extremely likable and easy going individual.  He traveled extensively in his work and cautioned us that prices out east would be considerably more than they were here in South Dakota. He was a very loyal supporter of our team, and became friendly with all of the players. 

As will happen to all of us someday, Russ passed away on October, 27, 2019, at the age of 91.  His funeral was on October 31, 2019, in the Peterson Chapel at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.  Many of the residents were in attendance, and were generous in their praise of Russ.  He always seemed to have a smile on his face and sincerely cared about the other people that were living there. 
Numerous people of those situations when Russ was so helpful to them, and took the time to really listen and take a genuine interest in what they had to say. 

Barry related how his father was only 15 when he enlisted in the Navy during World War II.  That naval experience, plus his penchant for traveling, seemed to have rubbed off on Barry.  After high school graduation, he and Al Larson hitch-hiked across Europe.  Does anyone remember when they came back and talked about their experience during as assembly at the high school our senior year? 
It seems to me that they told us that someone on the German Autobahn was giving them a ride, but seldom was watching the road.  It turned out that this man had designed that stretch of the road, and knew it like the back of his hand. 

It was great talking to Barry and reacquainting with him and his younger brother Bob, who was a year behind us.  Russ's obituary below indicates what a wonderful person he was.  Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to the family.