Robert D. Koehn

Robert Dean “Bob” Koehn, son of Carl J. and Lena (Wedel) Koehn, was born July 2, 1932, in McPherson, Kansas.  He was one of eight  children born to the Koehn family.

Bob graduated from Bethel College (North Newton, KS) and then went on to earn a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.  

Prior to retirement, Bob was a Botany professor for 35 years at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Bob enjoyed teaching and helping his students succeed. He often went above and beyond in helping his students reach their goals. He was also a fraternity advisor for Delta Tau Delta. He kept in touch with many of his students after they graduated, even getting to know their spouses and extended families.

After retirement, Bob moved to Austin and lived there until his death.  While living in Austin, Bob was involved with Ducks Unlimited and enjoyed collecting hand-carved duck decoys.

Bob was a member of the Austin Mennonite Church. He was active in the church and helped with coordinating volunteers to help serve meals at the downtown homeless shelter. Bob enjoyed creating decorations at the front of the church for worship services. He always brought a carving that spelled the word “PEACE.” He was very supportive of the peace witness of the Mennonite church.

Bob volunteered with Trinity Child Development Center at their annual Christmas fundraiser and often donated items from his collections for their fundraising efforts. One year, he donated a large Canadian Goose decoy. He said he didn’t like the way the goose kept looking at him over its shoulder!  Bob even took swimming lessons and learned to swim so he could take part in a yearly fund-raising event that benefited Trinity Child Development Center.

Bob enjoyed visiting with his family in Kansas in person and by phone. His nieces and nephews stayed in touch with Bob and often came to visit him in Texas. He kept up with their lives and loved them very much.  Being far from his Kansas relatives, Bob was not always able to gather with them on holidays. Later in life, he had a tradition of gathering with the family of Dr. Kyle and Dr. Sara Florio over the Christmas holidays.

As Bob got older, he appreciated the dedicated service of his live-in caregiver, a native Texan named Wade whom he'd met serendipitously back in 2015, and appreciated the attention, care, and companionship Wade provided Bob through many difficulties of health and life challenges, enabling Bob to stay in his home as long as possible.

Bob entered peacefully into eternal rest on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at South Austin Medical Center in Austin, TX.  He had just reached the age of ninety.

Survivors include five nephews and seven nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings, Valdo Koehn, Verna Dirks, Mabel Koehn, Lloyd Koehn, Nelson Koehn, Lila Koehn, and Paul Koehn.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at McPherson Cemetery.  A memorial service will also be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday July 16, at the Austin Mennonite Church, 5801 Westminster Dr., Austin, TX 78723.  To view a live stream (Zoom) broadcast of the service, please click on the following link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83755191137

Memorial donations may be given to  Austin Mennonite Church Scholarship Fund or Bethel College Biology Department (North Newton, KS) in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.