Donald Froehlich Kohler Sr. ’53

Don was born in Louisville, Ky., and died in Louisville Oct. 10, 2020.  

He graduated from Louisville Male High School, where he was a Kentucky state champion high hurdler and was inducted into the Male High School Hall of Fame. At Princeton he was a member of the Cap and Gown, majored in economics, and wrote a thesis on “Problems of Union Security under Present Federal Labor Legislation.”  

Following graduation, he served as an officer in the Army at Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Benning, Ga. After a short time in the life-insurance sales business, he joined the Kentucky Trust Co., where he was an officer for 19 years. In 1974 he joined Hilliard Lyons, where he founded the Hilliard Lyons Trust Co. and served as head of the investment management department until his recent retirement.  

Don served the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky as treasurer and chair of the investment committee and received the Diocesan Cross for his 35 years of service as trustee. An avid golfer, he loved regular weekend games and traveled often to play in U.S. Seniors Golf tournaments.  

In addition to his wife of 63 years, Mary Peabody “Peachy,” Don is survived by three children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.