Rotarian dies in the Washington Navy Yard shooting rampage
Twelve people, plus the shooter, are dead and several others wounded after a shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard on 16th Sep, Monday, morning.Rotarians are saddened by the loss of Frank Kohler, of the Rotary Club of Lexington Park, Rotary, USA, as well as his coworkers at the Washington Navy Yard. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow Rotarians who are coping with the loss.
Kohler has been a member of Rotary since 1998.
Frank Kohler was the doting father of two daughters and a former Rotary Club president who earned the distinction of “King Oyster” for his service.
For the past two years, Kohler has made the 65-mile commute from his home in Tall Timbers, Md., to Navy Yard, where he worked on contract as a computer systems specialist. He previously worked as a contractor for Lockheed Martin in southern Maryland.
“He was a gifted leader and a hard worker,’’ said John Rymer, a friend who met Kohler through the Rotary Club of Lexington Park. “Most of us are retired and Frank had a full-time job, but he spent so much time doing community service.”
The 50-year-old Kohler served as the president of the club in 2005, leading a campaign to donate a dictionary to every third-grader in St. Mary’s County. After serving his term, he earned the customary title of “King Oyster.” He received a crown and robe and helped lead the national oyster shucking competition.
While leading the club, Kohler was businesslike and results-oriented, friends of the family said, but at home he was a jovial spirit. He and his wife, Michelle, were constant fixtures at the King’s Christian Academy, where their two daughters attended school.
“This was a tremendous family,’’ said Kevin Fry, the school’s principal. “They were beloved by everyone.”
The Kohler’s two daughters, Alex, 18, and Meghan, 19, now attend Liberty University in Lynchburg. By Tuesday afternoon, their Facebook pages had been overwhelmed with best wishes and memories of their dad.
Kohler grew up in Western Pennsylvania. He was a computer science major at Slippery Rock University, where he met his wife, Michelle. He graduated in 1985. He moved to the region soon after college to work in the computer technology, said Dave Ness, who used to work with him at Mantech.
Frank and Michelle were married in the late 1980s in a Greek Orthodox ceremony, said Ness, who remembers them dancing around the ceremonial altar. Before they had children, the Nesses and the Kohlers often went to each other’s houses and played board games. Frank was particularly good at Boggle.
“One time we stayed over for the night and he insisted we sleep in their bedroom,’’ Ness said. “But that’s the type of guy he was, the type who would give up his bedroom for friends.”
A family member who answered Michelle Kohler’s cellphone said the family was too overwhelmed to comment.
“He was such a nice man,’’ said Jack Pappas, the current Rotary Club president. “In our club, I’d say about 80 percent have been in the military. All of us are used to this sort of thing. But this has really, really shocked us.”
While leading the club, Kohler was businesslike and results-oriented, friends of the family said, but at home he was a jovial spirit. He and his wife, Michelle, were constant fixtures at the King’s Christian Academy, where their two daughters attended school.
“This was a tremendous family,’’ said Kevin Fry, the school’s principal. “They were beloved by everyone.”
The Kohler’s two daughters, Alex, 18, and Meghan, 19, now attend Liberty University in Lynchburg. By Tuesday afternoon, their Facebook pages had been overwhelmed with best wishes and memories of their dad.
Frank and Michelle were married in the late 1980s in a Greek Orthodox ceremony, said Ness, who remembers them dancing around the ceremonial altar. Before they had children, the Nesses and the Kohlers often went to each other’s houses and played board games. Frank was particularly good at Boggle.
“One time we stayed over for the night and he insisted we sleep in their bedroom,’’ Ness said. “But that’s the type of guy he was, the type who would give up his bedroom for friends.”
A family member who answered Michelle Kohler’s cellphone said the family was too overwhelmed to comment.
“He was such a nice man,’’ said Jack Pappas, the current Rotary Club president. “In our club, I’d say about 80 percent have been in the military. All of us are used to this sort of thing. But this has really, really shocked us.”
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