We are sad to announce that the Reverend Norman “Chips” Koehler died at Longwood at Oakmont on Friday, July 21, 2023.
Ordained a Deacon in 2002; a Priest in 2006; he served at Redeemer, Squirrel Hill, St. Andrew’s, New Kensington, St. Barnabas, Brackenridge, St. Mary’s, Red Bank, St. Paul’s, Kittanning and St. Thomas, Oakmont.
Prior to his service to the church, Chips+ had a distinguished 27 year career with the U.S. Navy. He became a Naval Aviator in 1958 and served as a reconnaissance/patrol pilot in Vietnam, Naval Attaché to Greece, Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 10 and the Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine; Director of Special Operations, Atlantic Command; Executive Assistant to Secretary of the Navy. Awards include the Legion of Merit (3), the Air Medal (2) the Meritorious Service Medal (2) the Vietnam Medal of Valor, and numerous service and unit awards.
Following his 1981 Naval retirement as a Captain, he worked as a Senior Research Scientist for the Lockheed Corp. for a decade. Then held Capital Campaign/ Development posts at Northwestern, Carnegie-Mellon and the Univ. of Pittsburgh and was the founding President of the Pittsburgh Episcopal Foundation. He taught as an adjunct professor of Business Administration for over 12 years at the University of Southern New Hampshire and at Butler County Community College.
Married to Virginia Schadt Koehler (Jan) in 1956, they have three children, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Friends and relatives will be received at the Burket-Truby Funeral Home, 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139 on Tuesday, July 25, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139, with Navy Military Honors on Wednesday, July 26 at 1 p.m.
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant Chips+ and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. –BCP p. 470