Dick Kohler

Dick Kohler, 80, of Sheridan, Wyoming passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Veterans Hospital. As per his wishes, no services will be held.

Born June 6, 1943, in Denver, Colorado to Marjory and Bill McKittrick, and soon after adopted by Gladys and John Kohler. He grew up under the watchful eyes of his mother, Aunt Rosina Braun (Secondmama), and Uncle Louis Braun while occasionally attending North Denver schools before enlisting in the US Navy in 1960 as a Seabee. He was stationed at Midway Island, Okinawa, and Port Hueneme, California where he met his first wife, Carol. They married in Denver in 1965.

His first child, Todd, was born in 1968, followed by a second, Chad, in 1971. He deeply attached himself to the outdoors and passed along that passion to his sons as they hunted and fished the mountains and plains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Northern Canada.

He married the love of his life, Connie Laughlin (nee’ Dorris) in 1993. They made homes in Arvada, Jefferson, Longmont, and Johnstown, Colorado, and spent significant time in Mazatlán, Mexico with their jolly labrador retriever, Cheyenne. He became a stepdad and friend to her sons Mark, Greg, and Eric. She preceded him in death in 2007.

Shortly afterward, Dick moved to Sheridan, becoming a ranch hand and gardener at Hidden Valley Ranch in Big Horn. During this time, he forged many friendships with his employers, co-workers, and neighbors in the area, and met his partner-of-the-heart, Kat MacDonald. Together they explored the Big Horn Mountains, gardened, and fished the local streams and lakes. He was reunited with his biological family in 2009 and became a new brother to Nancy, Carol, Janice, Patty, Mike, and Kathy, as well as uncle to several nieces and nephews.

Todd (April) and Chad of Sheridan, Kat MacDonald of Sheridan, adoring sisters Carol Martin and Janice Zobel (Chuck), noble stepsons Mark (Melissa), Greg (Erin), and Eric (Leah) Laughlin, and Shawn Harvey, granddaughter Caitlyn, a great-granddaughter, many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family survive him. Missed but never forgotten . .

Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com. Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.