Obituary of Herbert Kauhl

Herbert P. Kauhl (Sep. 3, 1928 - Jan. 14, 2015) Herbert Paul Kauhl, born in East Syracuse, NY, passed away on January 14 at The Oaks in Pleasant Gap. Raised in Fairmount, NY, he graduated from Solvay High School and briefly attended Oswego (NY) Teachers College before enlisting in the Army. While serving in Germany, he met Dorothy Softley from Nebraska, a teacher in the American Dependents Schools. They were married on December 26, 1953. Herb received a Bachelor's degree from Maryville (TN) College and a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton (NJ) Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1958 and served as assistant pastor of the Morris Plains (NJ) Presbyterian Church followed by a pastorate at the Waynesboro (PA) Presbyterian Church from 1962 to 1970. After earning a Master's degree in Regional Planning from Penn State in 1972, Herb worked for Local Government Research Corp. Between 1973 and his retirement in 1988, he was on the staff of the Centre Regional Planning Commission, working mainly with Ferguson, Halfmoon, and Patton townships. He was a member of Huntington Presbytery and various planning associations, as well as being an active member of the State College Kiwanis Club for many years. Herb did much of the work to build the Overlook Heights house from which the Kauhls recently moved. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking. He was particularly adept at fixing things and creating gadgets to accomplish tasks more efficiently. In retirement, he and Dorothy travelled extensively with Elderhostels and wintered in Carefree, AZ. In the past six months, Herb tenaciously worked to recover from a series of operations. He was preceded in death last month by Dorothy, his wife of 61 years. He is survived by daughter Nancy Kauhl and husband David LeRoy of Shermans Dale, PA, daughter Kathy Kauhl and husband Mark Johansen of Verona, NJ, a granddaughter Kara Johansen, and his sister Mary Louise Kauhl of East Syracuse, NY. A memorial service will be held at the State College Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm, Sunday, Feb. 1, with the Reverends Dean Lindsey and Joel Blunk officiating. Contributions may be made to Krislund Camp and Conference Center, Madisonburg, PA. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com