VINCE KOHLER , NOVELIST AND REPORTER, DIES
The 53-year-old writer of mystery books and news for The Oregonian suffered a series of strokes
Vince Kohler, a mystery novelist and a veteran Clackamas County reporter for The Oregonian, died Saturday from complications after a series of strokes. He was 53.
Mr. Kohler gained recognition for the four comedy-mysteries he wrote in the 1990s -- "Rainy North Woods," "Rising Dog," "Banjo Boy" and "Raven's Widows." His novels' protagonist was Eldon Larkin, a roly-poly amateur detective and eccentric reporter for a newspaper on the Southern Oregon coast.
Phillip Margolin, a best-selling mystery writer in Portland, said he met Mr. Kohler shortly before his first book, "Rainy North Woods," was published in 1990. "I loved the book," Margolin said. "It was wacky and thoroughly original. There are UFOs and Bigfoot in the book, but what I remember most is the crazy scene in which an elephant is lynched. Vince put these bizarre elements together so they made sense."
Margolin said they became friends, with Mr. Kohler helping edit his novels. "He was a good, and honest, critic who never shied away from pointing out my faults in my drafts. I appreciated the help and his suggestions made my books better."
Mr. Kohler also was known by government officials and civic leaders throughout Clackamas County, which he covered for most of his 22 years at The Oregonian.
"Vince was amazing and brilliant," said Mike Swanson, Milwaukie city manager and former administrator of Clackamas County. "He was a fast read -- he could take a new county budget and quickly translate it for readers.
"Vince was proud to be a journalist. He was very good at his craft, both as a novelist and as a journalist."
Rod Patterson, a colleague and Mr. Kohler's former editor in The Oregonian's Metro South bureau, said Mr. Kohler was a professional who always got the story he went after.
"Not only was he appreciated by those who worked with him, Vince was respected by the people he covered -- even if they didn't always like what he said about them," Patterson said.
Andy Parker, Metro South bureau chief, described him as a kind and gentle man. "Simply put, he cared a lot about the people whose paths he crossed. I think that's why so many people he met during his career respected and trusted him."
Vincent Depaul Kohler was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Tokyo. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism and government from California State University at Sacramento in 1970 and a master's degree in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University in Ames in 1975.
Before joining The Oregonian, Mr. Kohler worked at the Coos Bay World from 1977 to 1980. In 1988, he married Mary Joan O'Connell.
A memorial gathering is pending.
Mr. Kohler is survived by his wife; father, Vincent D. Kohler Sr.; sister, Francesca "Missy" Wardlaw; brother, John; and two nephews.
[The Oregonian, 17 Mar 2002, Page: B06]
The 53-year-old writer of mystery books and news for The Oregonian suffered a series of strokes
Vince Kohler, a mystery novelist and a veteran Clackamas County reporter for The Oregonian, died Saturday from complications after a series of strokes. He was 53.
Mr. Kohler gained recognition for the four comedy-mysteries he wrote in the 1990s -- "Rainy North Woods," "Rising Dog," "Banjo Boy" and "Raven's Widows." His novels' protagonist was Eldon Larkin, a roly-poly amateur detective and eccentric reporter for a newspaper on the Southern Oregon coast.
Phillip Margolin, a best-selling mystery writer in Portland, said he met Mr. Kohler shortly before his first book, "Rainy North Woods," was published in 1990. "I loved the book," Margolin said. "It was wacky and thoroughly original. There are UFOs and Bigfoot in the book, but what I remember most is the crazy scene in which an elephant is lynched. Vince put these bizarre elements together so they made sense."
Margolin said they became friends, with Mr. Kohler helping edit his novels. "He was a good, and honest, critic who never shied away from pointing out my faults in my drafts. I appreciated the help and his suggestions made my books better."
Mr. Kohler also was known by government officials and civic leaders throughout Clackamas County, which he covered for most of his 22 years at The Oregonian.
"Vince was amazing and brilliant," said Mike Swanson, Milwaukie city manager and former administrator of Clackamas County. "He was a fast read -- he could take a new county budget and quickly translate it for readers.
"Vince was proud to be a journalist. He was very good at his craft, both as a novelist and as a journalist."
Rod Patterson, a colleague and Mr. Kohler's former editor in The Oregonian's Metro South bureau, said Mr. Kohler was a professional who always got the story he went after.
"Not only was he appreciated by those who worked with him, Vince was respected by the people he covered -- even if they didn't always like what he said about them," Patterson said.
Andy Parker, Metro South bureau chief, described him as a kind and gentle man. "Simply put, he cared a lot about the people whose paths he crossed. I think that's why so many people he met during his career respected and trusted him."
Vincent Depaul Kohler was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Tokyo. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism and government from California State University at Sacramento in 1970 and a master's degree in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University in Ames in 1975.
Before joining The Oregonian, Mr. Kohler worked at the Coos Bay World from 1977 to 1980. In 1988, he married Mary Joan O'Connell.
A memorial gathering is pending.
Mr. Kohler is survived by his wife; father, Vincent D. Kohler Sr.; sister, Francesca "Missy" Wardlaw; brother, John; and two nephews.
[The Oregonian, 17 Mar 2002, Page: B06]
VINCE KOHLER , NOVELIST AND REPORTER, DIES
The 53-year-old writer of mystery books and news for The Oregonian suffered a series of strokes
Vince Kohler, a mystery novelist and a veteran Clackamas County reporter for The Oregonian, died Saturday from complications after a series of strokes. He was 53.
Mr. Kohler gained recognition for the four comedy-mysteries he wrote in the 1990s -- "Rainy North Woods," "Rising Dog," "Banjo Boy" and "Raven's Widows." His novels' protagonist was Eldon Larkin, a roly-poly amateur detective and eccentric reporter for a newspaper on the Southern Oregon coast.
Phillip Margolin, a best-selling mystery writer in Portland, said he met Mr. Kohler shortly before his first book, "Rainy North Woods," was published in 1990. "I loved the book," Margolin said. "It was wacky and thoroughly original. There are UFOs and Bigfoot in the book, but what I remember most is the crazy scene in which an elephant is lynched. Vince put these bizarre elements together so they made sense."
Margolin said they became friends, with Mr. Kohler helping edit his novels. "He was a good, and honest, critic who never shied away from pointing out my faults in my drafts. I appreciated the help and his suggestions made my books better."
Mr. Kohler also was known by government officials and civic leaders throughout Clackamas County, which he covered for most of his 22 years at The Oregonian.
"Vince was amazing and brilliant," said Mike Swanson, Milwaukie city manager and former administrator of Clackamas County. "He was a fast read -- he could take a new county budget and quickly translate it for readers.
"Vince was proud to be a journalist. He was very good at his craft, both as a novelist and as a journalist."
Rod Patterson, a colleague and Mr. Kohler's former editor in The Oregonian's Metro South bureau, said Mr. Kohler was a professional who always got the story he went after.
"Not only was he appreciated by those who worked with him, Vince was respected by the people he covered -- even if they didn't always like what he said about them," Patterson said.
Andy Parker, Metro South bureau chief, described him as a kind and gentle man. "Simply put, he cared a lot about the people whose paths he crossed. I think that's why so many people he met during his career respected and trusted him."
Vincent Depaul Kohler was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Tokyo. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism and government from California State University at Sacramento in 1970 and a master's degree in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University in Ames in 1975.
Before joining The Oregonian, Mr. Kohler worked at the Coos Bay World from 1977 to 1980. In 1988, he married Mary Joan O'Connell.
A memorial gathering is pending.
Mr. Kohler is survived by his wife; father, Vincent D. Kohler Sr.; sister, Francesca "Missy" Wardlaw; brother, John; and two nephews.
[The Oregonian, 17 Mar 2002, Page: B06]
The 53-year-old writer of mystery books and news for The Oregonian suffered a series of strokes
Vince Kohler, a mystery novelist and a veteran Clackamas County reporter for The Oregonian, died Saturday from complications after a series of strokes. He was 53.
Mr. Kohler gained recognition for the four comedy-mysteries he wrote in the 1990s -- "Rainy North Woods," "Rising Dog," "Banjo Boy" and "Raven's Widows." His novels' protagonist was Eldon Larkin, a roly-poly amateur detective and eccentric reporter for a newspaper on the Southern Oregon coast.
Phillip Margolin, a best-selling mystery writer in Portland, said he met Mr. Kohler shortly before his first book, "Rainy North Woods," was published in 1990. "I loved the book," Margolin said. "It was wacky and thoroughly original. There are UFOs and Bigfoot in the book, but what I remember most is the crazy scene in which an elephant is lynched. Vince put these bizarre elements together so they made sense."
Margolin said they became friends, with Mr. Kohler helping edit his novels. "He was a good, and honest, critic who never shied away from pointing out my faults in my drafts. I appreciated the help and his suggestions made my books better."
Mr. Kohler also was known by government officials and civic leaders throughout Clackamas County, which he covered for most of his 22 years at The Oregonian.
"Vince was amazing and brilliant," said Mike Swanson, Milwaukie city manager and former administrator of Clackamas County. "He was a fast read -- he could take a new county budget and quickly translate it for readers.
"Vince was proud to be a journalist. He was very good at his craft, both as a novelist and as a journalist."
Rod Patterson, a colleague and Mr. Kohler's former editor in The Oregonian's Metro South bureau, said Mr. Kohler was a professional who always got the story he went after.
"Not only was he appreciated by those who worked with him, Vince was respected by the people he covered -- even if they didn't always like what he said about them," Patterson said.
Andy Parker, Metro South bureau chief, described him as a kind and gentle man. "Simply put, he cared a lot about the people whose paths he crossed. I think that's why so many people he met during his career respected and trusted him."
Vincent Depaul Kohler was born Aug. 7, 1948, in Tokyo. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism and government from California State University at Sacramento in 1970 and a master's degree in journalism and mass communications from Iowa State University in Ames in 1975.
Before joining The Oregonian, Mr. Kohler worked at the Coos Bay World from 1977 to 1980. In 1988, he married Mary Joan O'Connell.
A memorial gathering is pending.
Mr. Kohler is survived by his wife; father, Vincent D. Kohler Sr.; sister, Francesca "Missy" Wardlaw; brother, John; and two nephews.
[The Oregonian, 17 Mar 2002, Page: B06]
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