L. Robert "Bob" Koehler of Delray Beach, Florida was born on August 14, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Herbert and Ida Koehler. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Herbert Jr. ("Hoby") Koehler; and his sister, Edith Hefler.

After graduating from high school, Bob worked with his father in the family nursery business. He later took a job as a welder in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, but quickly realized that welding was not the career he wanted to pursue. When his father purchased a hardware store in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Bob joined him in the family business, beginning a lifelong career in hardware and merchandising.

Bob married Patricia Ann Murphy in 1951, and together they had four children: Robert Timothy ("Tim"), Scott David, Mark Stephen, and Mary Patricia. Tim and his wife Sonya, live in Palm Coast, Florida. Mark and his wife Sveta, live in Ukraine. Mary Pat and her husband Bob, live in Durham, North Carolina. Their son Scott, who preceded Bob in death, lived with his wife Gwen, in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Bob was also blessed with eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, a stepson, Alan Mierke, and his wife, Linda, two step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.

After working in the family hardware store, Bob was recruited by American Hardware, the company that supplied Koehler Hardware. He began as a merchandise manager and later became a buyer for sporting goods and toys, a position that took him on buying trips around the world. During this time, he also began investing in rental properties. Eventually he left corporate life to manage his growing real estate business full-time. By the time he retired, he and his partners owned more than 400 rental apartments.

Bob and Patricia divorced in 1978. In 1982, he married Jean Mierke, and together they built a life filled with worldly travel, family, and adventure. They purchased a home in Lighthouse Point, Florida, where they eventually settled full-time. Following an illness, Bob and Jean moved to Abbey Delray South in 2003. As two of the community's youngest residents, they quickly became known as the "poster couple" of Abbey life. Bob served on numerous committees and men's groups, always seeking ways to improve the community. He and a friend established a hydroponic herb garden to provide fresh herbs for the Abbey kitchen because he believed residents deserved flavorful meals. He and Jean also shared a passion for orchids and bromeliads, propagating hundreds of plants and placing them throughout the campus trees to enhance its beauty.

Bob had an extraordinary ability to adapt to every stage of life. When he could no longer drive, he learned woodturning and began creating beautiful bowls on a lathe. For his 90th birthday celebration, he handcrafted 60 bowls so that every guest could take home one of his creations. When declining mobility made woodworking impossible, Bob simply found another passion. He turned to writing, authoring five books on topics ranging from property management to the future of technology. Long before artificial intelligence became part of everyday conversation, Bob recognized its potential and enthusiastically embraced it. He used AI to write poems celebrating his family, friends, and the many places he had traveled.

Throughout every challenge, Bob remained remarkably positive. Whenever he lost the ability to do something he loved, he never complained or grew bitter. Instead, he would simply smile and say, "I'll do something else." Those words became a reflection of the resilience and optimism that defined his life. Bob had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. He took a genuine interest in everyone he met and was known for his warm smile, firm handshake, and easy conversation. Friends and strangers alike were drawn to his kindness, curiosity, and generous spirit.

Bob was preceded in death by his son, Scott; his former wife, Patricia; and his beloved wife of 41 years, Jean. He is survived by his loving companion, Elaine Sokol-Sion, who remained faithfully by his side until his passing, along with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him. Bob's life was marked by hard work, curiosity, creativity, resilience, and love. He never stopped learning, never stopped creating, and never stopped finding new ways to make the world around him a little more beautiful. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the communities he served, and the countless people whose lives he touched.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date in North Carolina.

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to his son Mark’s non-profit in Ukraine “Mission Ukraine Children’s Hope” which provides medical and other help to disadvantaged children and soldiers in the Ukrainian army. Bob would be so very appreciative.  To make an online donation, please click here.