Scott Koehler, beloved designer and industry persona, passed away over the weekend from pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, Gwen, and his extended family, including his beloved grandsons.
A 28-year industry veteran and a licensed contractor, Scott was the founder of Dream Kitchen Builders, a design/build firm in Moore County, N.C. He was active with the National Kitchen & Bath Association and earned his Certified Kitchen Designer accreditation, as well as the National Association of Home Builders.
Scott Koehler was an asset to Kitchen & Bath Business as an esteemed member of our Editorial Advisory Board and as an avid writer for our publication. In 2020, he was chosen as a Praiseworthy Pick for our 2020 Person of the Year competition. We also featured one of his dream kitchen projects, which included a marble tub so heavy that it had to have a special cradle designed for it to move the pieces into place.
Our May/June 2022 issue of the magazine included Scott as the focus of our Last Word column, where we interview a go-getter in the industry. He shared with us that he chose to run his business via a smart phone versus a computer several years ago, because it was more advantageous even back then.
A quote from him in the above-mentioned article described Scott perfectly: “In business, design and life, I believe it is important to always be thinking and evolving.” He definitely stayed true to that mantra, and we will miss him dearly.
Editor’s Note – additional info from NKBA.org:
In addition to his wife, Koehler is survived by his son, Jeffrey Scott Koehler and wife Claire; daughter, Laura Gwen Martin and fiancé Joseph Rosario; grandsons Finn Martin and Luke Koehler; his father Lawrence Robert Koehler and stepmother Jean; brothers Timothy Koehler and wife Sonya, Mark Koehler and wife Sveta; sister Mary Pat Whaley and husband Bob; stepbrother Alan Mierke and wife Linda; as well as a large extended family. He was predeceased by his mother, Patricia Murphy Koehler.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network through its website at PanCAN.org.
