Michael Ladd Kohl

May 17, 1946 - April 11, 2015

Michael Ladd Kohl

May 17, 1946 - April 11, 2015

Obituary

Michael L. Kohl passed away on Saturday, April 11th in Bellingham, WA. Mike had spent the morning working at his office on Saturday. When he realized that something was wrong, he drove himself up to the fire station at Broadway/Dupont where he knew he would be found immediately and where his dog Frances would be protected. He parked his truck and turned off the engine before collapsing from a massive bleed in his brain. Mike passed away two hours later at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Mike is a longtime survivor, beating cancer in 1982 and again in 2002, and coming back from a coma and sepsis in 2006, and three heart surgeries in the following years, never complaining and never giving in, and always working full days to support his family and his commitment to his passion for building and development. He was strong in heart and mind and an ethical businessman and community member.
Mike Kohl made a lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest over the past 40+ years through the many homes, apartment buildings, condos, medical centers, hotels, commercial buildings, and housing communities he built and designed, as well as his work helping condo associations with inspections and planning for repairs. Most recently, he worked as the project supervisor for the Ferndale Police Station and the Ferndale Library. Mike gave special attention to making spaces work for the people who would use them, as well as leaving old trees and protecting the surrounding wetlands on his building sites. He proudly served terms on both the Bellingham City and Whatcom County Planning Commissions and loved our corner of the world, from Barlean’s crab and shrimp, to sailing in the San Juans, skiing at Mt. Baker, swimming and boating on Lake Whatcom, and walking the beaches at Deception Pass.
Mike was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and “pet-dad” who put more love and compassion into the world than he took out of it. He quietly supported families in need, helping them to find good work and step out of the welfare system to live on their own terms. He often spotted people in restaurants or stores who needed a little boost and paid for their meals or groceries or their children’s shoes. As a husband, he cherished his wife of 45 years – his high school sweetheart – MaryAnn, taking great pride in her work as an author and publisher of books bringing art to children around the world; seeing his daughter Hannah find success in the New York Broadway musical world and with her paper-cutting artwork; enjoying deep pride in Megan’s exceptional talent and success in Chicago theatre; and speaking with immense pride of his daughters’ partners, Eric Price in New York theatre and Ned Harkness in education. Besides his wedding day and the births of his daughters, the two most precious experiences of his life were walking his daughter Megan down the aisle to marry Ned, and recently holding his new granddaughter Clio Hayes Harkness in his arms.
Mike often said, “A wise man plants a tree whose shade he will never enjoy.” We thank him for his work here on earth and for the beauty he left behind.

Michael Kohl is survived by his wife, MaryAnn Faubion Kohl of Bellingham; his daughters, Hannah Kohl of New York City (Eric Price) and Megan Kohl Harkness of Chicago (Ned Harkness) with granddaughter Clio Hayes Harkness; brother Steven Kohl (Louise) of Poulsbo, WA; brother Alan “Skip” Kohl (Alice) of Montesano, WA; sister Molly Ugles (Herb Martin) of Bainbridge Island, aunt Barbara Bergstrom of Gooding, ID and many wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family and important beloved friends.

Gathering

  • Date & Time: April 18, 2015 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes
  • Location: 2465 Lakeway Dr Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510

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35 responses to Michael Ladd Kohl

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  1. Donna Starr says:

    Mary Ann and family,
    Just returned from a trip to Eastern Europe to discover your loss. A wonderful legacy that Michael left, I am so sorry for your empty spot. I hold you all dear at this time.

  2. I had the pleasure of interacting with Mike on the Ferndale Public Library project. He always had the best interests of the city and the library in mind and I think that the library came out beautifully. Best wishes to all of his family.

  3. My deepest condolences to all the family. May your thoughts, memories bring you strength in the days, years ahead.

  4. I met Bob when he did some work for my family in Ferndale. He was a special person and he will be missed. He took extra time to walk our property and help us with some of our questions. He introduced us to our trekking poles which now we’re never without.We’ll walk and extra mile today with our rescue pup Ms. Ellie

    Our thoughts and prayers to the family

    Gary & Sally Williams

  5. Signe says:

    Hello Mary Ann, I am so sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. In some ways it seems like yesterday when we were all high school friends yet it has been decades since those care free days. You have had such a good life together and in reading the tribute I can see Michael and you shared so many wonderful times. The tribute to him here is so revealing of the man he was, his kindness and caring, the loving father to your girls, the cherished husband he has been to you. I wish you healing and comfort. I and so many others are thinking of you with love and fond memories of Michael.
    Signe

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