Hermann Kahler

Kahler, Hermann

Castleton-Hermann Kahler, 88, passed away peacefully at his home on January 12, 2015. Known fondly by many as “Hermann the German,” he was born on April 9, 1926 in Bülstedt, Germany. He was the youngest of eight children of Emil Kähler and Auguste (Mirow) Kähler. Hermann served briefly in the German military as a teenager during World War II, and was a prisoner of war in the United States from 1944-1945. After the war, he initially returned to Germany, but immigrated to the U.S. in 1952, working as a butcher and meat cutter in New York City and Greenville, NY. It was during that time that he met Erika Brüssow, also a recent immigrant from Germany. They married on March 18, 1956 and moved to Albany, NY. Hermann was a hard worker, holding jobs as a meat cutter, mason, and welder. He was proud to have studied at Hudson Valley Community College, taking courses at night and earning numerous certificates in building construction and estimating.

In addition to Erika, his wife of 58 years, Hermann is survived by four children, Wilma Wells (Ralph) of Phoenix, Arizona, Ralph (Suzanne) Kahler of Great Falls, Virginia, Annette Kahler of Loudonville, NY, and a very special son and best friend, Martin Kahler of Loudonville, NY. He is also survived by three grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Ingrid Wells of San Francisco, California, Erik Wells of Phoenix, Arizona, and Kiersten Wells of Phoenix, Arizona.

Hermann was a longtime and active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Albany, NY, where he served for many years on the building committee. He had a lifetime love of horses, riding until he was 84. Hermann remained active through his final days, growing tomatoes in his garden, mowing his lawn, and snowblowing his driveway. He was a people-person who loved to help others, laugh and tell stories, always with a glimmer in his blue eyes.

Visiting hours will be 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at Ray Funeral Service, 59 Seaman Ave., Castleton, NY 12033.

A funeral celebrating Hermann’s life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2015 at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203, with a luncheon at the church immediately following, and internment at Horizon View Cemetery in Castleton.

For those who wish, contributions may be made to the building fund of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 475 State Street, Albany, NY 12203, in memory of Hermann Kahler.

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