Robert Koehl

MADISON- Bob Koehl age 93 fought prostate cancer for over a year then decided on his terms to decline more treatment. He died where he had lived since 1977 early in the morning as the sun was rising. Bob joined the faculty of UW- Madison Department of history in 1964 and served full faculty until he retired in 1997.
His life in Madison reached far beyond the university and he is beloved by many over the decades for saving lives and turning around messed up lives literally. He was also an avid historical site visitor, music collector, stamp collector and train and trolley supporter. And, he was an Internet whiz with an IPad that was state of the art.
He was awarded upon retirement professor Emeritus status by Wisconsin 1997 and continued to supervise students for years. Bob also was a founder of the Department of Educational Policy Studies and specialized in comparative and international education. Many of his students are world leads in international education and still close to Bob.
Bob Koehl is a graduate of Harvard College and University, BA , MA and PhD as well as member Phi Beta Kappa. He received a scholarship and worked his way through college. Bob's studies were interrupted by World War II. He served in European theater occupied by Germany and Axis. Bob was in US Army Intelligence in the war where his knowledge of language was useful as an interrogator. Helping defeat the Axis Powers Germany and Japan 1945 made the world a safer and more dignified place just as it helped frame Bob's world view and priorities. As man of peace and opportunity for all he knew evil waited and had to be known to be defeated. Bob wrote about European history and specialized in NSDAP Nazis and fascism. His World War II course was extremely popular all the years he offered it.
Bob also taught at MIT in Boston, University of Nebraska and UW Madison.
Bob married Lilo Eisenhardt during the war and had three children Stefan, Jeremy , Sarah. Born in Chicago and raised in Kenosha Bob loved the Midwest and personified a Midwesterner in his hard work and achievement. He married Jane Hopper 1977 to the present and died at home in Madison where he wanted to be, surrounded by adoring love and intense grief.
Bob is survived by his wife Jane , his brother Richard, three children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many very close loved friends and family whose lives have intertwined with his in significant ways for decades. Listen to them all and be joyful. He made a difference and was blessed. His gifts he shared, use it or lose it. Oh how we will miss him. Thank you for your service to the United States. Rest in Peace, dear Bob, as he moves to Eternal Life.
A memorial service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison on Friday, July 24, 2015 at 3pm. A visitation will be held from 1:30pm until the time of service.

Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434