John Kohler, veteran Assembly GOP staffer, top Whitman aide, dies at 77

John D. Kohler, a likable and respected former Executive Director of the Assembly Republican Office, died this morning.  He was 77.

Kohler served as deputy chief of staff to Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.

“John Koehler was a wonderful man, and a consummate public servant. He did everything with dignity and humility, and served the state of NJ incredibly well,” said Whitman.  “He was a humble person, yet he did extraordinary work. Those of us who knew him will truly miss him.”

Earlier this month, two other former top legislative staffers passed away: Mary Messenger, who served as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office, and Rosemary Pramuk, the veteran Senate Republican Budget official.

He began working in the legislature in the mid-1970s as staff to the Assembly Institutions, Health and Welfare Committee.  His extraordinary policy chops allowed him to move into leadership posts in the Assembly Republican office, serving as research director and a key member of Speaker Chuck Hardwick’s inner circle.

Following the departure of Bradley Brewster in 1989, Hardwick named Kohler as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office.  He held a similar position after Republicans returned to the minority in 1990.

He later served as an aide to three Republican lawmakers in the 8th district: State Sen. C. William Haines and Assemblymen Harold Colburn and Robert Shinn.

After Whitman defeated Jim Florio in the 1993 governor’s race, Kohler became chief of staff to the state’s new Commissioner of Health, Len Fishman.

He joined the front office as a top Whitman aide in 1997.

Michael Torpey recalled working for Kohler as a young Assembly staffer.

“When I started working in Trenton on April 1, 1985, John became my first boss and, initially, he was terrifying.  John was big, bearded, blustery, and often profane.  I soon found out, however, that he was so much more.  While he remained big, bearded and blustery, his profanity was actually more comical than threatening, and I came to know John as a fundamentally decent and caring person, always placing his concern for others above himself,” Torpey said.  “Professionally, John was one of the smartest and most creative public policy people I have ever met, particularly in his area of greatest passion, healthcare.”

The two remained friends and colleagues.

“When Governor Whitman honored me by appointing me as her Chief of Staff, I considered myself extraordinarily fortunate when John agreed to join me in the Governor’s Office where his wisdom and guidance became a constant source of support and strength,” noted Torpey.  “An old school gentleman, John was a mentor, a colleague and, ultimately, a great friend.”

At the time of his death, Kohler was a senior legislative agent at Riker Danzig.

Kohler graduated from the University of Maryland and received his master’s degree from Rutgers University.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Suter, a former Commissioner of Banking and Insurance in Whitman’s cabinet, his children, Beth and David, and his grandchildren.