Background
Kohler was born February 20, 1939 to Ruth Miriam DeYoung Kohler (1906–1953) and Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Senior (1891–1968), who ran the Kohler Company from 1937 until his death.
Kohler was born February 20, 1939 to Ruth Miriam DeYoung Kohler (1906–1953) and Herbert Vollrath Kohler, Senior (1891–1968), who ran the Kohler Company from 1937 until his death.
He graduated in 1965 from Yale University with a degree in Industrial Administration and went to work for the company.
He is related to other former company presidents, including Walter J. Kohler, Senior and Walter J. Kohler, Junior. He was educated at The Choate School (now Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut), of which he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2005-2010. In June 1972, he was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer at the age of 33.
After graduating in 1965 from Yale University, Kohler went to work for the Kohler Company which long has been a manufacturer of bathtubs, toilets and other plumbing fixtures.
He worked as a laborer or technician in every division of the company. In June 1972, he was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer at the age of 33.
Under his leadership, the company more than doubled the size of its engine and generator business and it launched an interiors group that now encompasses five furnishings lines. The National Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame inducted Kohler in its founding year of 1989, followed by the National Housing Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 2007, Kohler"s Netto worth was estimated at $4.0 billion.
In 2009, his Netto worth was estimated at $1.3 billion and as of October 2015, Forbes has estimated Kohler"s Netto worth at $7.4 billion. Golf
Kohler is an avid fan of professional golf and the Kohler Company owns and operates two courses designed by Pete Dye. The first course built was Blackwolf Run which is west of the village of Kohler along the Sheboygan River.
lieutenant hosted the United States. Women"s Open in 1998 and 2012.
The second built by Dye was Whistling Straits north of Sheboygan, along Lake Michigan. Whistling Straits hosted the Professional Golf Association Championship in 2004, 2010 and 2015 and the United States. Senior Open in 2007.
In 2009, Kohler purchased "one of the sport"s most famous buildings", Hamilton Hall, now the Hamilton Grand, a collection of 26 luxury apartments. Kohler owns the Old Course Hotel in Street Andrews, Scotland.