Richard John Kohler, Iii

Richard John Kohler III (Dick) of Lambertville, New Jersey passed away on the evening of February 12, 2021 at the age of 89 years old surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Nyack, New York on August 10, 1931, son of the late Richard J. Kohler Jr. and Corrine Cardell, Dick grew up in Williamsville, New York. He graduated from Williamsville Central High School in 1949. As an avid sailor, when time came to serve his country in the Korean War, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1952 through 1955. After his service, Dick resumed his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences degree from Cornell University in Ithica, New York in 1956.

Dick commenced his professional career at Beacon Milling Company in Cayuga, New York shortly after graduating from Cornell. In 1966, he accepted a position with the Pacific Molasses Company, a division of Tate & Lyle, in New York City, New York and relocated his family to Murray Hill, New Jersey. Later, in 1972, he moved on to work for Golodetz Trading Company in New York City, where he was an executive in the international commodities division. At Golodetz, Dick was responsible for the developing the firm’s international fats and oils export business and pioneered relationships with numerous countries including Egypt, Pakistan and the Soviet Union, among others. Throughout his career, Dick held many positions of distinction including membership on the Chicago Board of Trade, President of the American Fats and Oils Association, membership and service as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and was a long-standing member of the Union League Club of Chicago.

One of Dick’s greatest joys in life was spending time with his family on the horse farm that he owned with his wife for the past 45 years. Working the fields for the year’s harvest of corn and soybeans, building walkways and stonewalls to enhance the beauty of the farm’s historic home, breeding and racing Standardbred horses and showing American Saddlebred horses with his two daughters, Ann and Karen, were among his many passions. In more recent years, Dick also thoroughly enjoyed the company of his beloved Springer Spaniel, Molly, who sat loyally by his side and accompanied him on his many chores around the farm.

Dick was a devoted husband and father and is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth S. Kohler, and two daughters, Ann Kohler and Karen Kohler. He is also survived by his brother Peter Kohler.

A memorial service will take place later this Spring. Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at donors@stjude.org

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com