Kohler, Walter J(odok), Jr (1904–1976)

US businessman and politician. He began his working life as an engineer in his father's plumbing appliance company in 1924. He became the Kohler company director in 1936, and director of Volrath, the stainless steel manufacturer, in 1940. He was in the US Navy during World War II. A Republican, Kohler served as governor of Wisconsin, (1951–57), in which office he instituted programs to reduce dairy cattle disease. Kohler was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. His father also served as governor of Wisconsin (1929–31).