Robert "Bob" Kenneth Koehler

Robert “Bob” Kenneth Koehler (93) passed away peacefully at The Rowan House at Friendship Village of Dublin on October 12, 2024. Mr. Koehler is survived by his children, Carol K. Brubaker and Robert Wayne Koehler, his sister, Virginia Bunnell, and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Hecht. He was Grandpa to his 5 grandchildren, Dr. Douglas Brubaker (Stephanie), Robert W. Koehler (Ashley), David Brubaker (Kayla), Kara Koehler, and Sara Brubaker (Samuel). Mr. Koehler was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Elaine H. Koehler, his twin brother, Donald W. Koehler, and his parents, Walter and Eleanor Koehler. Bob was born in 1930 at home in Maplewood, NJ. He and his twin brother Donald were so premature that their mother swaddled them in shoeboxes. He attended Columbia High School and graduated in 3 years from Rutgers University in order to enlist in the Army. He served multiple roles in the Army and Army Reserve until being Honorably Discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was President of the New York Chapter of Reserve Officers Association of NJ and was a Vice President for Army Affairs at the Department Level. He was a member of the American Legion, Gibraltar Post. He began his professional career at City Service, during which time, he was accepted into graduate school at New York University and Harvard, ultimately attending NYU and earning a Masters of Business Administration. Mr. Koehler eventually moved to, worked at, and retired from Prudential Insurance Company after 34 years of service as an executive in its investment area. His wife, Elaine, received the New Employee Bonus after recommending Bob for this job. Bob chaired or served on creditors committees for companies in bankruptcy or in reorganization, at one time managing a portfolio of just under $1 billion. He served as the President of the Prudential Retired Employees Association and on the Board of Trustees of Retirees Offering Community Service, a Prudential sponsored organization encouraging volunteer service. In recognition of Bob's years of volunteer service, the Governor of New Jersey awarded him the Governor’s Community Service Award. He also served as a Trustee of the Clinton Cemetery, Irvington, New Jersey and on the Board of Directors of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company, Brewster Ohio. Beyond Prudential, Mr. Koehler was a dedicated volunteer in his community, church, and college associations. Mr. Koehler expressed his devotion to the welfare of children by donating much of his time to Community Agencies Corporation (CAC) of New Jersey. CAC is a nonprofit that provides education, housing assistance, recreation, and employment assistance to disadvantaged families in Newark, New Jersey. CAC and its sister agencies serve more than 3,500 families. Bob’s involvement with CAC and its affiliate, Protestant Community Centers, Inc. spanned 35 years, 10 of which he served as the CAC president. Mr. Koehler was involved in Rutgers University alumni affairs for over 35 years serving as president of the Rutgers Alumni Federation, from which he received the Meritorious Service and the Edward J. Bloustein Community Service Awards. Bob also served on the Rutgers University Senate, its Senate Executive Committee, and on the Rutgers University Board of Trustees for 12 years. Mr. Koehler was also a member of the Alumni Association of the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration. Mr. Koehler served as president of the Board of Trustees and was a session member at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township and at the Madison Presbyterian Church. He was an ordained elder of the Presbyterian Church and served on the Newton Presbytery Committee on Ministry. Mr. Koehler was a member of the Madison Golf Club for 23 years and the Pocono Farms Country Club for 35 years. At Friendship Village of Dublin (FVD), Bob and Elaine arranged for the initial donations to create the Resident Community Gardens and worked tirelessly at the FVD Village Store, purchasing, stocking, and managing merchandise. Mr. Koehler also gave his time as a volunteer at Morristown Memorial Hospital (New Jersey), Riverside Methodist Hospital (Ohio), and Ohio State University Hospital. Bob will be ever fondly remembered for his sense of humor and devotion to his family, both of which remained with him through his long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. Mr. Koehler’s final resting place will be with his wife, Elaine, at the Memorial Gardens at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, NJ. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to: The Residents’ Benevolent Fund or to The Rea & Genell Secrest Health Services Fund at Friendship Village of Dublin, 6000 Riverside Dr. Dublin, OH 43017.

Robert "Bob" Kenneth Koehler

December 4, 1930 - October 12, 2024