Herbert Frederick Kahler

Beloved husband, father, father-in-law, Opa, brother and businessman died surrounded by family at home in Orono, MN, after a brief illness, October 23, 2018.

Family and his faith were paramount to his beautiful life.  During his brief illness, his wife, children and grandchildren all were with him in prayer, song, tears and laughter. Herb’s love of family and God were central to all his relationships, were ever present to his final days and remain a lasting and vibrant legacy. His joy of entertaining friends and family in the Twin Cities, Bay Lake and Rio Verde with his wife, Erika, are fondly remembered. 

Herb was born on September 20, 1936 in St. Augustine, FL the son of Herbert E. and Marie (Strieter) Kahler.  He married Erika Rozsypal of Vienna, Austria on May 16, 1964 at the Chapel in Fort Sill, OK.

He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Johns Hopkins University in 1958 and went on to earn his LL.B (JD) from Harvard Law School in 1961 and completed the PMD at Harvard Business School in 1970. Herb  was a 1st Lieutenant, Gunnery Instructor of the Field Artillery, at Fort Sill, OK from 1962-1964.

Upon completing his military service, Herb joined law firm, Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, in New York City. He then became Secretary & General Counsel of International Silver Co (Insilco). He spent more than 20 years as a senior executive of the company including as Corporate Senior Vice President & Director. Herb left Insilco and returned to Minnesota in 1990 where he built a leading manufacturer of commercial cold storage equipment, Everidge, which remains a family business. 

He was an active leader at a number of non-profit organizations, including the Board of Governors Meriden/Wallingford, CT Hospital, Board of Directors of St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, St. Paul Opera Association & Minnesota Opera Company, President of Rio Verde Country Club, AZ and long term member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Herb was Honorary Consul, Republic of Austria 1998-2013. His love of Austria sprang from his wife. The beauty, culture and family made it a second home he adored. In 2013, the President of Austria awarded him the Decoration of Honor in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria (Silberne Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich).

Herb is survived by his wife of 54 years, Erika, five sons, Erik (Carla), Stephen (Iris), Christopher (Delphine), Michael (Mary) and Craig (Tim) and 13 grandchildren along with brother John (Ellen), two nieces, sister-in law Christa Dam and many cousins. 

A funeral liturgy will take place at 2pm on Saturday, November 17 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2060 County Rd 6, Long Lake, MN with visitation one hour prior to the service. 

Memorials may be made in Herb’s memory to Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Lake, MN or the Mayo Clinic.

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