Walter J. Kohler Jr.

Walter J. Kohler Jr.
Official portrait of Kohler as governor
33rd Governor of Wisconsin
In office
January 1, 1951 – January 7, 1957
LieutenantGeorge M. Smith
Warren P. Knowles
Preceded byOscar Rennebohm
Succeeded byVernon Thomson
Personal details
Born
Walter Jodok Kohler Jr.

(1904-04-04)April 4, 1904
Kohler, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedMarch 21, 1976(1976-03-21) (aged 71)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeWoodland Cemetery, Kohler, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Marie Celeste Holden
  • (m. 1932; died 1947)
  • Charlotte McAleer
  • (m. 1948; died 1995)
RelationsKohler family of Wisconsin
Children
Parents
Alma materYale University
ProfessionBusinessman
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1942–1945
Rank Lt. Commander
UnitUSS Hancock (CV-19)
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards

Walter Jodok Kohler Jr. (April 4, 1904 – March 21, 1976) was a member of the Kohler family of Wisconsin and was the 33rd Governor of Wisconsin, serving three terms from 1951 to 1957. He was a leading figure in state and national Republican Party activities. His role in the clash between Senator Joseph R. McCarthy and presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 has interested historians for decades. Kohler was for many years a sales executive at the Kohler Company and served as president at The Vollrath Company.[1] He was also a distinguished Naval officer in World War II. He had two children—a son, Terry Jodok Kohler, and daughter, Charlotte Nicolette Kohler.

Kohler's father, Walter J. Kohler Sr., was the 26th Governor of Wisconsin. His son Terry Kohler ran for governor in 1982, but was defeated by Anthony Earl.

  1. ^ "April 4". Wisconsin History Day By Day. Retrieved February 25, 2022.