Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 11, 2025

CHARLOTTE – The most enduring legacies are often the simplest.

Before Truman Koehler died on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at age 94, a friend asked him what he’d like to be remembered for.  Over a long life filled with many blessings, Truman was an innovative chemical engineer who was proud to have helped manufacture life-saving medicines. With his wife, Marcia, he raised a beautiful family. He served God through his church and the community he loved through many civic causes. In everything he did, his outgoing optimism lifted everyone’s spirits.

All well and good.  But what Truman told his friend cut right to the essence of his character.  He said he hopes to be remembered for the kindness he showed to everyone with whom he crossed paths. Accomplishments are fine. But all he ever wanted to be was what he was: In his words, a good fellow.

Truman was born on April 9, 1931, in Allentown, Pa., where his love of learning came naturally. His father, Truman Sr., chaired the Math Department at Muhlenberg College in their hometown. His mother, Miriam, was head mistress of a private school. Truman graduated Summa Cum Laude from Muhlenberg with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, then earned a Masters in Experimental Statistics from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Allentown graced him with far more than a diploma. A blind date with Allentown High graduate Marcia Zimmerman led to love and a marriage that spanned 67 years.  She passed away in late 2021.  She was 89. Kindness indeed.

Truman’s training, passion and ability to size up a situation and make a decision served him well in the chemical manufacturing industry.  At American Cyanamid, he led the team that created chemical light sticks for use by NASA and the military.  He and Marcia moved to Charlotte in 1981 when he became president of Sodyeco, one of the world’s largest dye manufacturers.  When Sandoz, a global chemical and pharmaceutical company, merged Sodyeco with its U.S. chemical company in 1984, Truman became president and CEO.  He then was promoted to Group Vice President for its chemical operations in the Western Hemisphere.  Truman was proud to be part of the team that developed pharmaceuticals that helped improve lives.  He embraced efforts to protect the environment.  Truman helped preserve jobs in a changing industry.  He served on several national boards, lectured widely, published more than 50 articles and was named in “American Men of Science.”  In Charlotte, he chaired a committee that led to the city’s first comprehensive emergency response system for hazardous materials.  The program became a model for other cities.

In 1990, he took on additional duties as president and CEO of Master Builders, a construction chemical company. After retiring from full-time work, he served on the Master Builders Board of Directors for five years.

Truman is survived by three children – Jeff Koehler and his wife, Martina, of Southport, NC, Dr. Lisa Burke and her husband, Andy, of Charlotte, and Mark Koehler of Orlando, FL; three grandchildren – Lindsey Koehler of Charlotte, Michael Koehler of Orlando, FL, and Adam Burke of North Haven, CT and several nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate his life will be at the family’s church, Providence United Methodist Church, at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 17, 2025.  Visitation will follow at the church.  The service will be live streamed through the church website at: https://boxcast.tv/view/truman-koehler-memorial-service-z1ttqc7shctpuptp8zoh

A gift in Truman’s memory can be made to the Wesley Men’s Fellowship Sunday School class at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.  Make the check out to the church with Wesley Men’s Fellowship in the memo line.

Truman’s family is deeply grateful for the care shown by Dr. David Yancey and Robyn Young, M.A., of Signature Healthcare.  A special thank you for all the amazing caregivers at Embrace Health.  They also want to thank Debbie Hammontree RN and her staff and Taylor Burgess and his PT team on the fourth floor of Briar Creek Health Center at The Barclay.  And their heartfelt thanks for the compassion shown by the Where’s My Walk staff, who cared for both Amy the cat, as well as Truman.    

Truman gave back.  He served 14 years on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Muhlenberg College, including a stint as Finance Committee chair.  The distinguished liberal arts college honored him with a Distinguished Alumnus Award.  The University of Rochester also honored Truman for outstanding contributions to the practice of quality control. In Charlotte, he helped establish the Charlotte Manufacturers Council and served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, Discovery Place and N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry.  He was president at one time of the Wesley Men’s Fellowship Class at Providence United Methodist.  The church was a sweeter place for his family’s presence.

Such a good life he had with Marcia.  They traveled the world and relished the annual family beach trip to Myrtle Beach.  For 25 years, they shared good food and great fellowship with members of their Winding Brook Road Gourmet Club.

Life after Marcia was bittersweet.  He started his day with breakfast and The Wall Street Journal. He exercised among friends at Planet Fitness.  Truman looked forward to monthly dinners with the widows of his golfing buddies.  He enjoyed the golf and fellowship at Quail Hollow Country Club and was proud to be part of the Mecklenburg Wildlife Club.  The toughest time was every evening when Truman and Marcia would have looked back on their day, talking as they shared dinner.

In a grand life, Truman Koehler’s kindness prevailed.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.