MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) — Former US Senator for Wisconsin Herb Kohl has died at the age of 88 following a brief illness.
Kohl, a Democrat, served in the upper chamber from Jan. 3, 1989, through Jan. 3, 2013.
His death was announced by Herb Kohl Philanthropies, his education foundation, which read in part:
“Senator Kohl leaves behind an unmatched legacy. He grew up in the Sherman Park neighborhood of Milwaukee and after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, earning an MBA from Harvard and joining the Army Reserve, he followed in his father’s footsteps and built with his brothers a chain of over 50 Kohl’s grocery stores across the Midwest.
“When the Milwaukee Bucks were put up for sale and in danger of being bought and moved to another city, Herb stepped forward in 1985 and bought the team with the promise to its fans that they would never leave. When the time came to sell the team, he fulfilled that promise and donated $100 million to help in building a new arena for the community.
Tributes to Kohl immediately poured in from all corners of the state including from former Governor Scott Walker who said “he did so much for Wisconsin. His legacy will live on with the Kohl Center and the Fiserv Forum. He saved the Milwaukee Bucks and then insured their success for generations to come. Tonette and I send our prayers to his family.”
State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly released the following statement:
“I am devastated to hear of the passing of our champion for public education and school kids, Sen. Herb Kohl. Not only a senator, but also a successful businessman, philanthropist, sports leader, and a community stalwart, Herb was the very best friend to Wisconsin’s schools, educators, and kids. He supported our Teachers of the Year program, and multiple times funded entire slates of teachers’ back-to-school wish lists. Sen. Kohl supported healthy kids, as one of our nation’s top advocates for kids getting breakfast and lunch at school. Through fellowships, internships, scholarships, and awards, he funded and supported countless peoples’ education. And at every event I ever attended with him, he took time to meet every kid and parent, and to thank every teacher and principal.
“As a graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools and UW-Madison, and as a champion for our democracy, today we’ve lost one of the very best – a true mensch. I wish my best to his entire family, and I thank them for sharing him with all of us.”
Kohl was born in Milwaukee. Funeral arrangements are pending.
