Arthur "Art" William Kiehl

Arthur “Art” William Kiehl, age 87, passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at the Sheboygan Senior Community. Art was born on January 22, 1935 in Sheboygan, the son of the late Arthur P. and Edna (Perleberg) Kiehl, Art married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou (Brown) Kiehl on April 20, 1957. Art and Mary Lou raised four children. As a father, he instilled in his children his deep faith, a love of learning and music, self-discipline and kindness.

Art had a love and passion for music that he shared with others throughout his life. His passion for music began as a child, beginning to play the French horn at Trinity Lutheran School. Upon graduating from Sheboygan Central High School, Art received a scholarship to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music as a performance major on French horn. Art then transferred to UW-Milwaukee to pursue his passion for teaching, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Later in Art’s career he returned to UW-Milwaukee to complete a Master’s Degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction. During his time in the Milwaukee area, Art performed in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra including several years as principal French horn. Other performing highlights included the Florentine Opera Company, Concerts Under the Stars, and Pabst’s Beer Wagon.

Art was a life-long educator. He began his teaching career in Elkhorn, WI. The remainder of his 38 years of teaching was with the Sheboygan Area School District. During his career in Sheboygan, he taught band, chorus and general music at the elementary and middle school levels. Even in retirement, Art continued to educate children by volunteering in the schools. In 2015, he received the SASD Outstanding School Volunteer Award. In addition to public school teaching, Art taught private instrumental music lessons throughout his career and long into his retirement. He instilled a love of music and learning in his students and was proud of their accomplishments. Some of Art’s students have continued to become professional musicians. He was always interested in the lives of his students, and many students visited him long after high school.

Art served in many capacities in the Sheboygan Educator Association (SEA), including as president. He was instrumental in helping to promote teacher’s rights and working conditions.

As a faithful member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, Art directed the choir for over 30 years and was involved in the acquisition of the new pipe organ. Art served on the Board of Directors of the Community Concert Association and John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s Artist in Residence Committee. Art was also a valued member of the Sheboygan Symphony for many years.

With a love for travel, Art and Mary Lou traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Russia, Africa, Egypt, Thailand, and China. Historic Williamsburg, VA was one of Art and Mary Lou’s frequent and favorite travel destinations. They were thrilled to share their love of Williamsburg by treating each of their grandchildren to a trip to this wonderful destination.

Art is survived by his wife Mary Lou, his four children; Kathleen (Joe) Fuhrmann, Kimberly (Kerry) Zajicek, Gregory (Karen) Kiehl and Elizabeth (Jim Gallagher) Kiehl, seven grandchildren; Nina Casey, Taylor (Janet Cushing) Zajicek, Wesley Zajicek, Vania Shih, Michael Shih, Christopher Kiehl, Madeline Kiehl, and other family and friends.

Along with his parents, Arthur P. and Edna Kiehl, Art was preceded in death by his brothers Robert Kiehl and Elmer Kiehl.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Sheboygan Senior Community for the excellent care, empathy and compassion shown to Art and Mary Lou. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Luke United Methodist Church or the Sheboygan Senior Community in Art’s name.

A Memorial Service celebrating Art’s life will be held at 3:00 on Saturday, November 12,2022, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 623 Ontario Avenue in Sheboygan. Visitation will take place from 1:00 - 3:00, followed by the Memorial Service. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed on Art’s obituary page on the funeral home website.