Edwin P. Kohler Slide Collection

Edwin Philip Kohler, II was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, 10 June 1936. He joined the US Army in 1954 and served in the Corps of Engineers until 1957, including a seventeen month tour of duty in Korea. After his honorable discharge, Kohler earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Pennsylvania State University in 1961. For the next two years Kohler served as the National Field Secretary for Acacia National Fraternity. In 1963 he accepted a job at Georgia Tech where he would remain until his retirement in 1991.

Kohler's first job at Georgia Tech was as Assistant Dean of Students. In this position he was responsible for the Fraternity System and served as Residence Hall Advisor. From 1963 until 1969, Kohler and his wife Ellie lived in Smith Residence Hall where he was also Resident Advisor. In 1969, Kohler became the Assistant Director of the Wenn Student Center. He served in this capacity until 1972 when he was named Associate Dean of Students. “Dean Ed,” as he was known, was Associate Dean of Students, then Associate Vice President for Student Affairs until he retired in December 1991. From 1972-1991 he served as chair and treasurer for both the Board of Student Publications and Radio Communications Board (WREK).

Beginning the mid-1960s, Kohler worked with the Ramblin’ Reck Club to establish reasonable safety standards for Ramblin’ Reck Parade entries. He was also instrumental in determining the parade categories still in use today: classic, fixed body, or contraption.

Ed Kohler earned a master’s degree in education from Georgia State University in 1979. After his retirement, in recognition for his long-term service and his many contributions to Georgia Tech, Kohler was granted the title Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Emeritus. He was named a Georgia Tech Honorary Alumnus in 1994.