Philanthropist and four-term Senator Herb Kohl dies at 88

Herb Kohl, who went from retailing executive to Milwaukee Bucks savior to four-term, self-funded U.S. senator and lifelong philanthropist, died Wednesday at the age of 88 after a brief illness, according to the Herb Kohl Foundation.

In his policy agenda during his Senate tenure and subsequently in his philanthropic giving, Kohl focused especially on education, funding scholarship programs and teacher awards through the foundation.

“Not only a senator, but also a successful businessman, philanthropist, sports leader, and a community stalwart, Herb was the very best friend to Wisconsin’s schools, educators, and kids,” said Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “He supported our Teachers of the Year program, and multiple times funded entire slates of teachers’ back-to-school wish lists.”

Underly called Kohl “one of our nation’s top advocates for kids getting breakfast and lunch at school,” as well as someone who supported “countless peoples’ education,” creating fellowship, scholarship, internship and award programs.

“He left a lasting impact on all of us,” said State Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska), who served on Kohl’s senate staff. “He was a mentor, a friend, and a proud representative of the people of Wisconsin.

A graduate of Milwaukee public schools, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Harvard Business School, where he received an MBA, Kohl ran grocery and department store businesses started by his father Max and bearing the family name. The Kohl’s businesses were sold in 1979, and Kohl left the company.

In 1968, Kohl was part of the effort that brought the Bucks NBA team to Milwaukee. In 1985, when the team was put up for sale and fans feared the Bucks would leave the city, Kohl bought the team and vowed it would remain in Milwaukee.

A Democratic Party member and former chair, Kohl ran for public office for the first time in 1988 when the Democratic incumbent, William Proxmire, retired. Proxmire had been legendary for eschewing fundraising, running campaigns on a shoestring and winning handily. Kohl also avoided raising campaign cash, instead funding his campaigns from his wealth and adopting the slogan “Nobody’s Senator but yours” to assert his independence from donors’ influence.

“Herb was my role model,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), who ran for and won the seat when Kohl retired in 2012. “Herb was as generous as they come — with his resources, his knowledge, his time, and his heart. Wisconsin is lucky to have had Herb Kohl in our corner and we are undoubtedly a better, more just place because of his service. He truly was nobody’s senator but ours.”

“Senator Kohl was a unique fixture in American politics,” said Congressman Mark Pocan (D-Town of Vermont). “His giving spirit, both during and after public service, made him such an effective senator.”

“He was an incredibly giving person,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee), “and as Senator, he championed the needs of children and families, including expanding access to affordable health care and our public schools.”

While serving in the Senate, Kohl also launched philanthropic and charitable foundations, starting with an educational foundation in 1990. In retirement, Kohl expanded his philanthropic work, and in 2015, helped engineer the sale of the Bucks to new owners while donating $100 million to build the team a new arena in Milwaukee that was also supported by $250 million from Wisconsin taxpayers.

Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags to be flown at half-staff starting Thursday until the date of Kohl’s interment, which has not been announced. Memorial services are to be scheduled later in January.

“Sen. Kohl was deeply committed to community, kindness, and service to others,” Evers said. “Wisconsin’s seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy, the impacts of which will last for generations.”