The AASV was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Erwin Kohler, AASP member from 1972-1994 and the 1978 recipient of the Howard Dunne Memorial Award.
Dr. Kohler (Ohio State ’55), 90, Wooster, Ohio, died June 12, 2021. He was a professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine and a past assistant dean at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Following graduation, Dr. Kohler practiced in Winchester, Virginia. He subsequently returned to Ohio State, where he earned his doctorate in microbiology in 1965. Dr. Kohler then joined the Food Animal Health Research Program at Ohio State’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, heading the program for 16 years. He also conducted research on porcine and bovine diseases and helped develop the center’s gnotobiology laboratory. The new FAHRP building was built during Dr. Kohler’s tenure. He retired in 1992.
Dr. Kohler was a life member and a past secretary-treasurer of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases, whose 1994 conference was dedicated to him. He received several other honors, including the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Howard Dunne Memorial Award in 1978 and a Distinguished Alumnus Award from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992.
Active in his community, Dr. Kohler was a past president of the Wooster Noon Lions Club and was recently honored with a Melvin Jones Fellowship for his service. He also served as a volunteer with the medical alert program of the Wooster Community Hospital Auxiliary. Dr. Kohler is survived by a son, a daughter, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a sister.