A well-known retired teacher and coach from Central Pennsylvania was found dead in a remote area of Maine last week. Eugene Koehler of Riverside was on a hunting trip. Investigators believe he died of natural causes.
Friends describe Eugene Koehler as happy, passionate, friendly and always willing to lend a helping hand. The former coach and teacher was hunting in Maine. He was found dead Thursday. His friends and family are preparing to honor him at a memorial luncheon.
Koehler, 73, was a longtime member of St. Paul's-Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Danville.
"The first thing you would notice is his smile. Gene would be at the door and he'd greet everybody who came to church," Pastor Greg Molter said.
Koehler's friends spent the morning setting up for his memorial luncheon at the church in Danville. The longtime teacher in Central Pennsylvania was hunting in Maine last week, when he died of what authorities believe was natural causes.
Friends say Gene was a teacher and coach for 30 years in Montoursville, Selinsgrove and here at the Benton Area School District where he retired from in 1993.
"Had been there for many years. He was a physical education and drivers education teacher there," Larry Horne said.
"Friendliness describes Gene in one word. The kind of guy everybody liked? If you didn't like gene there was something wrong with you," Molter said.
Friends say Gene's other passions were spending time with his family, and hunting. He frequently traveled to hunt, and was doing what he loved when he died.
"Always had plenty of time to give to anybody that needed his help. Whenever anything needed to be done here at the church, gene was the go-to guy," Horne said.
"Never looked for a reward. Always willing to give a hand. That was Gene," Molter said.
A celebration of Gene's life will be held Tuesday at 11a.m. at St. Paul's-Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Danville.