Delphin Gustav Kohler

Obituary Dr. Del Kohler October 14, 1922 - June 12, 2012 Del (Delphin Gustav Kohler) was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the second of twelve children. He served proudly during the Second World War, as a radio operator in the Navy. While attending St. Johns University he met the love of his life, Kathleen Krava, while she attended neighboring St. Benedicts College in St. Joseph MN. They married and headed to Omaha, Nebraska where Del attended Creighton University Medical School. On the trip from MN to Omaha, they traveled in an old convertible stuffed with their belongings. As dad told it, they drove through a storm and strong winds tore the roof off. They just laughed and so began the grand adventure of their lives. The first two of eight children were born in Omaha: Kristin and Erik. The growing family moved to Washington State, where Del finished his residency at St. Joseph Hospital. Ellen, Michael, Thomas, James, Marguerite and Andrew were born at the same hospital. Del practiced Family Medicine in the Federal Way area with Kathleen as his Medical Technologist until he was 75.They were a perfect team and Kathleen a "dynamo", as he liked to describe her. The thousands of patients they served together were provided outstanding care with a unique blend of compassion and personal attention. Dad accepted patients who were not covered by the usual private insurances despite the fact that he did not profit. His priority was providing care first. He was loved dearly and patients often recognized him and would come up in public places saying, "Hey Doc Kohler, you delivered me" or" Hi Dr. Kohler, you took care of me and my family, do you remember me?" He would smile and respond, "Yes and how is your mother doing "? Surprisingly, he was a shy man preferring to listen rather than be heard and always had the wheels turning in his intelligent head. He read voraciously with special interests in philosophy and astronomy. A favorite quote by Galileo Galilei: "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use". Del and Kathy built a home in Browns' Point, above Commencement Bay with a sweeping view of Tacoma, Mt. Rainier and the Olympics. Del chose the site for practical reasons too: radio reception. He was an avid ham radio operator, his call W7UMJ then W7JG. He participated in the WA and AK rescue networks as a volunteer. He loved adventure and took his large family hiking, cross country skiing and infused them with his same love for the beautiful NW and Alaskan backcountry. He climbed Mt.Rainier on 5 different occasions and visited Alaska every summer for many years. Classical music filled the family home at all times and the volume decibels increased with the years. Del lost his "mighty mite", Kathleen, in 2003. His children stayed close and were a source of comfort and support after this tremendous and unexpected loss. The years following her death were not always easy for him. He joked that he hoped Mom left the backdoor to heaven open. We are sure that the front door was opened wide and he is welcomed on his departure from this earth into the vast galaxies of what his scientific mind determined heaven to be. We will miss you and love you Dad, as you embark on the last great adventure. The family sends thanks to the staff at St. Francis PCU, Dr. Clark- Palliative Care, Glory-Chaplin and Dr.Dudkowska for their exquisite, loving care of our Dad.