Robert "Bob" Lee Koehler, Jr.

Robert “Bob” Lee Koehler Jr., 71, passed away May 13, 2023 at home. He was born March 26, 1952 to Mary Ellen Penny and Robert L. Koehler Sr.

During his senior year, Robert met Laurie - a sophomore at Mt. St. Mary’s and a member of his mother’s Girl Scout Troop. He graduated from Catholic High School in May, 1970. Over the next two years, Robert found creative ways to make the trip from Christian Brothers College in Memphis back to Little Rock to see Laurie. He was known to hitchhike if he didn’t have money for a bus ticket and admitted to sleeping on at least one park bench if he didn’t want his parents to know he was in town. Robert and Laurie married in 1972.

He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1974, beginning his career as an electrical engineer. He worked for Brewer Electric, Alcoa and AP&L before launching Koehler Engineers, Inc. in 1983. Robert retired from full time work in 2010, but was known to still dabble in the field between trips to Europe, yearly trips to Ft. Walton Beach with his family, and adventures around the country with Laurie .

Bud - as he was known to his family, is joined in Heaven by his parents; brother Dennis; sister Elizabeth; and brother-in-law Tracy. Robert is survived by Laurie, his wife of 50 years whom he absolutely adored; two sons - Chris (Heather) of Madison, AL and Adam (Melissa) of Little Rock. GDad leaves behind six grandchildren (Emma, Ginna, Finnley, Riley, Brynna, Jonathan) to cherish the memories of his official uniform, fishing and camping trips, AR Traveler games and his stovetop popcorn - which only happened on sleepovers and beach trips. Additional survivors include siblings Clara, Duane, Ken, Michelle; uncles Tommy and Fritz; aunt Barbara; NBKs Tammy, Lesia, Greg, Barbara, Jeroline, Yvonne; sister-in-law Becky Weeks; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins with varying levels of removal.

Robert was an Eagle Scout and received the Silver Beaver award for his years of service in scouting. Like all Koehler men, he enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of a great debate with anyone willing to engage.

The family would like to extend appreciation for the years of care provided by Dr. Brad Baltz, the Infusion Center at St. Vincent, UAMS, and the last two weeks with Arkansas Hospice.

Funeral services are Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church, 1003 N. Tyler St., Little Rock, AR. Visitation is 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., with internment in the Holy Souls Columbarium to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to ArkansasFoodBank.org or your favorite local charity.