Remembering Herb Kohl: A Philanthropist and Former U.S. Senator

Herb Kohl, a former Democratic U.S. senator from Wisconsin and the ex-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, passed away at the age of 88. His death was announced by Herb Kohl Philanthropies, which did not disclose the cause but mentioned that he died after a brief illness.

Kohl was a well-respected figure in Wisconsin, known for his significant contributions to the community. He purchased the Bucks to prevent them from leaving Milwaukee and invested generously from his personal fortune in civic and educational causes throughout the state. This allowed him to portray himself as “nobody’s senator but yours.”

In addition to his political career, Kohl also co-founded a chain of grocery stores called Kohl’s, which eventually expanded nationwide. His dedication to the community was evident in his use of his wealth to fund his Senate races and his commitment to ensuring the Milwaukee Bucks remained in the city.

When the Milwaukee Bucks were put up for sale and faced the risk of being relocated to another city, Kohl stepped forward in 1985 and purchased the team. He made a promise to the fans that the team would never leave, and when it was time to sell the team, he fulfilled that promise by donating $100 million to help build a new arena for the community.

In the Senate, Kohl was known for his humility and effectiveness in addressing issues important to Wisconsin, particularly dairy policy. Despite being one of the richest members of the Senate and the only professional sports team owner, he remained low-key and focused on serving the people.

Born in Milwaukee, Kohl had a close friendship with Bud Selig, who later became the baseball commissioner. The two shared a strong bond throughout their lives. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Kohl earned an MBA from Harvard and served in the Army Reserve.

Herb Kohl’s legacy is characterized by humility, commitment, compromise, and kindness. Joanne Anton, Director of Giving for Herb Kohl Philanthropies, expressed that “The Herb Kohl Way” encapsulates this legacy, highlighting the impact he had on the lives of countless people he worked with, served, and helped along the way.