Richard T. Kohler, 81, of Willow Valley, passed away in Lancaster, PA on May 3, 2008.

Born in Morgantown, WV, Dick was the son of the late Theodore C. and Mary DeFrere Kohler. He was the husband of Patricia A. Vore Kohler, originally of Clarksburg, WV, with whom he celebrated 58 years of marriage this past August 20 ^th .

Dick was a 1950 graduate of West Virginia University with a BS in Chemical Engineering and was a member of the Tau Beta Phi engineering honorary fraternity. He worked for RCA as a sales manager of scientific instruments before starting his own business, Eastern Scientific, later known as ES Industries of West Berlin, NJ. He ran the company for 40 years before turning it over to his eldest son, David Kohler, in 1994.

Retirement brought him to Willow Valley in Lancaster in 2000 with his wife. During his retirement, he was active in HOST at Lafayette School, Torch, and numerous book clubs, speaking, theatrical and music events.

In addition to his wife, Pat, he is survived by his children: David married to Pam Kohler of Marlton, NJ, Susan Kohler of Santa Monica, CA, Steven  married to Sharyl Kohler of Nantucket, MA, and Jeffrey  married to Cheryl Kohler of Flemington, NJ. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren.

Friends will be received on Friday, May 16, 2008 from 9:15-10AM at the Johnson Auditorium at Willow Valley North, 600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA, with the memorial service to follow at 10AM. Private interment will be at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Dr., Box 4125, Lancaster, PA  17604-4125 www.hospiceoflancaster.org or to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Office of Univeristy Development and Alumni Relations A120, Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852 www.hmc.psu.edu/cancer /.

Arrangements by the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Chapel, Lititz PA  560-5100.