In Memoriam - David Kohl

It is with sadness to share with the HKIS community that former HKIS High School art teacher, David "Dave" Kohl passed away on August 15, 2025, in Portland, OR.

Dave taught art at HKIS from 1973 through 1980. While at HKIS, he created the HKIS logo that we still use today. He also wrote and edited a book titled Dragon Tales for the 40th anniversary of HKIS in 2007.

David’s life was rich with creativity and connection. He taught at Hong Kong International School for many years, forming lifelong bonds with students and colleagues around the world. He sang bass in choirs throughout his adult life and was a longtime member of Living Savior Lutheran Church in Tualatin, Oregon. His historic 1910 home in West Linn was a sanctuary filled with books, music, and stories from his travels. Every wall told a story. For over 40 years, he ran a ceramics business from his basement studio, affectionately known as “The Mug Man” by friends who still treasure his handmade coffee mugs. David opened his home to many people over the years, offering them a safe place to land and a chance to rebuild. He loved classical music—especially organ pieces—and was a gifted piano player himself. To know David was to know generosity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for life’s beauty. His spirit lives on in the lives he touched and the memories he helped create. I will miss him dearly, every day.

Dave had received many notes of appreciation from former students which were cherished over the years. The following note from Mary Jo in 1975 was found lying on his desk soon after he passed, and sums up the sentiments of many of his students:

Dear Mr Kohl (Dave)
This is in place of writing in your yearbook and a note of thanks. I probably won't see you again 'til summer of '76, so I wanted to thank you somehow for what you've done for me. This may sound kind of fake, but you have been my best friend and teacher that I've ever had at HKIS. I don't know adequately how to say how much you've influenced me, not only in clay, goop, and pottery, but in dealing with people and having a good time. You've shown me how valuable it is to love others and what they do and show it. You know that I love pottery and art and chile and having you as a friend, so even though this sounds sentimental, thank you so much for giving me a beautiful senior year.

Love in Christ, Mary Jo