Daniel Howard Kohl
Daniel Howard Kohl, an intellectual, left-wing political activist, and committed family man, died on March 12, 2016, at the age of 87. A leader in his field, Danny served for 38 years as a professor in the Washington University Department of Biology. He combined his passion for science and social justice through ground-breaking work on water pollution caused by industrialized agriculture and a much-cited article that debunked attempts to link race and IQ. Particularly gifted as a student advisor, Danny ran Washington University’s undergraduate research program and was known for his commitment to mentoring nontraditional students.
A committed political activist his entire life, Danny participated in the anti-war, nuclear freeze, environmental, and civil rights movements. He co-founded Freedom of Residence, which brought a case to the Supreme Court against red-lining and housing discrimination. In later years, he served as a board member of Prison Performing Arts, a performing arts program that serves incarcerated adults and children. For these pursuits he was honored by the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.
We will remember Danny as a dedicated scientist, inveterate tinkerer, and ardent activist, a feminist committed to fairness in his private life as well as his public life, and mostly as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We will miss his rambling stories, his deep-seated compassion, his hallmark curiosity, his intellectual rigor, and his irreverent sense of humor.
Danny’s son Benjamin H. Kohl precedes him in death. His wife of 66 years, Seena B. Kohl; his children George, Paul, and Martha Kohl; eleven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren survive him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Danny’s memory may be made to Prison Performing Arts, 3547 Olive Street, Suite 250, St. Louis, MO 63103, prisonartsstl.org, or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held on April 9th at The Gatesworth, Lakeview Room at 1:00 p.m..
Danny was such a good and caring man. He was leader in so many liberal causes…Freedom of Residence, Environmental causes, Prison and Performing Arts; the list goes on. And he never gave up. His heart and his smile were always there.
I will miss you. We will all miss you.
Ben and Susan
Dan Kohl was for me a significant person in my life. He was my mentor, my supporter, my source of inspiration for his social values and moreover a life-time friend. It was through my friendship and admiration for Danny that I met all the Kohl family and felt as a young foreign student that I had a family in St. Louis.
Danny was always there for me. He challenged me with rigorous every time that I shared my writings with him and at the same time he showed his care and love.
As I moved in my journey I always knew that Danny would be there if I needed his views. I always thought that there were few truly academics like Danny. I will miss him deeply. Thank you Danny for all you gave me.
Francisco Szekely
Our grief is only tempered by
Danny’s considerable achievements in
as a scientist, teacher and adviser, and
activist on behalf of social justice and
a better world. A prince among us has fallen. May his memory be a blessing.
Henry and Mary
We are privileged to have met Dr Kohl. The world was blessed by having such a caring, sincere, and generous human being.
Danny was a wonderful person and a fantastic colleague. When I arrived at WashU as a new assistant professor in 2001, I had the good fortune of being put in temporary space across the hall from Danny’s office. His brilliant smile, twinkling eyes, and unfailingly positive outlook were a great source of comfort and inspiration, even on days when I thought I would never be able to make the transition from post-doc to PI. Over the years, I continued to be inspired by Danny’s energy and commitment to his students, his colleagues and his community. I always looked forward to seeing his smiling face and his warm greeting when we crossed paths in Rebstock or in the parking lot. He will be sorely missed.
Awww Danny. I have such fond memories of him from my high school days…always a huge smile, open mind,heart and arms.
Rest in peace.??
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Danny’s perspective, dedication, and good humor made terrific impressions on me. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. Beautiful slide show so we can continue to enjoy his smile and attitude.
Trish Cowan (acquaintance from PPA)
Danny was one of the most positive and generous people I’ve ever met. He seemed to start his day looking for ways to express appreciation and ways to make life easier or better for others. He lived his values, each and every day, and was surely one of the most engaged–and engaging–people in St. Louis. Thank you, Danny, for all you gave. Thank you for your example which we can carry forward in your name.
He was a passionate and compassionate man. I’ll never forget him. RIP
With Danny, you never had to ask…he was just there! His memory will continue to give me sustenance.
I knew Danny from PPA when he, his wife, and I were audience members at PPA productions. Petra Levin describes him perfectly, noting: “His brilliant smile, twinkling eyes, and unfailingly positive outlook.” I smile thinking of him. My prayers are with all who miss him. He made the world a better place.
Thinking of Seena and family. So sorry for your loss.
I only met Danny once but know his legacy is huge. Our family sends all our love to George and Maureen, and Philomena and Paul and all their children and to Linda and her children and of course to Sena
Danny Kohl. What a life so visibly well-lived and loved. We were lucky to meet him and still lucky to enjoy the steady friendship and liveliness of his Helena-based family. Much love to you. Nedra, Oscar and Willa.
My condolences and thanks to Martha and the Kohl family for this site that reminds us that the richness of our lives is dependent on the chance friendships that encourage and instruct us and the generations that follow. I know he would want me to put in a plug for the Prison Performing Arts Program that he so strongly supported.
Peggy Rifleman
Danny’s special interest in, and generosity for, a particular water project in Nicaragua was both helpful and inspiring. He reflected the best of our human nature.
My first thought: the world needs more people like Danny Kohl.
But then: the world Has more people like Danny Kohl . . . because of Danny Kohl.
Dan was my dear friend since we first met 50 years ago when I was his grad student. He was simply the most caring and decent person I ever met, along with all the things others have posted regarding him. Plus,I met Seena through him.
He sounds amazing. It does not surprise me because I know his daughter. Now I have a glimpse of the family who nurtured her to be the amazing person she is. It is certainly my loss that I never met her father.
After reading is obituary I know his leaving has created a large hole where once he stood.
My prayers and thoughts go out to all his family.
Through Dan I. Bolef, I had the privilege of meeting and interacting with Dan Kohl when when Dan Bolef and I lived in St. Louis. Prof. Kohl was gracious, gentle, honest, smiling and always engaged in a project.
I send love and regards to his family and friends.
Danny was my compatriot on the board of Prison Performing Arts, but he was really the soul of the organization.
On March 3rd , Danny, Seena, Frances and I went to a performance at the Vandalia Women’s Prison. He was so dedicated to supporting the inmates’ productions, that both the inmates and the staff greeted him with “Danny!” and hugs all around.
I’ll miss his hugs, too. A larger than life guy, and an inspiration. We were blessed to have known him.
Danny was an early supporter of Ridgway’s technology and stayed with us through thick and thin. After all the early interests fell away, Danny remained. He was such a constant in our lives, as late as last month, that we assumed he’d be there, in the background, our stoic friend.
And now he’s not.
Danny’s left a big hole in our lives that is unlikely to be filled.
Rest in peace, dear friend.