James "Jim" Arnold Kaehler

James Arnold Kaehler died early on the morning of Monday, May 22, 2023, in Lutz, FL.  Jim was 89 at the time of his passing, just three months shy of his 90th birthday. His death resulted from an accidental fall at his home.

Jim was born in Red Wing, MN on Saturday, August 12, 1933, to Edna [Haverland] and Arnold Kaehler, the third of six children. Arnold was a small businessman and an innovator ahead of his time in food and human nutrition.  Arnold and Edna were both active in the community and local politics. Together, they raised a close and loving family instilling lifelong appreciation for music and literature in all their children.

Jim is survived by his sister Laurel Winsor of St. Paul, MN, his brother Winston, of St. Paul, MN, and his sister Margret Anderson of Lacrosse, WI.  Jim is pre-deceased by both his parents, his brother Fred Kaehler of Ft. Collins, CO, and his sister Jane Starr of Minneapolis, MN.

Jim was a bright and inquisitive child and always played an active role in a variety of clubs and organizations. He was a member of his high school marching band, a boy scout, and member of the Knights of Demolay, a Methodist young men organization.  He graduated from Red Wing high school with honors in June of 1951, receiving A grades in all his classes, including Physics, which was a mystery to all who knew him.

After high school graduation, Jim enrolled at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN in the fall of 1951.  His course work was focused on becoming an attorney and he was awarded a Bachelor of Law degree in 1954.  He was also vice president of his fraternity, Theta Chi, and a delegate in the national Young Republicans organization.

1954 was also the year Jim married his high school sweetheart, Elaine [Witt], and enlisted in the U.S. Army.  They honeymooned in South Dakota and by year-end, the U.S. Army shipped Jim to a duty post as an armorer near the Panama Canal. Shortly after arriving, his young wife joined him. The following year in 1955, Jim and Elaine welcomed their first son, David.

After receiving an honorable discharge and a medal for his time served in the US Army, Jim was accepted in the Hamline University School of Law.  In addition to studying law to the level of a masters degree, Jim and Elaine welcomed their daughter Michele in 1958 and their youngest son Theodore, in 1960.  Jim graduated with honors from Hamline Law School in 1960 with a Juris Doctor degree.

After passing the bar, Jim wasted no time in securing a position as a corporate attorney for Honeywell.  Originally thinking he would eventually run for office, Jim spent the next 26 years at Honeywell, successively gaining more responsible legal positions.  During this time, he was certified to argue cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court as well as the United States Supreme Court.  He litigated over 1,400 cases and became one of Honeywell’s most respected labor negotiators. On a number of occasions, he rescued stalled negotiations and saved hundreds of workers from losing their jobs and prevented several significant plant closures.  He took pride in his ability to negotiate with heads of corporations and labor unions alike, keeping valuable jobs local and American industry moving forward during his tenure.

Jim also took pride in being a father to his three children and husband to his wife Elaine.  Their son David had a successful career in IT, and married Norma [Haisten], having two loving daughters, Sarah and Laura.   His daughter Michele, married to Tom McHugh, became an accomplished horsewoman, equine business owner, and mother with an artistically talented daughter, Meagan.   His youngest son, Theodore, went on to a distinguished career as a decorated naval aviator,   marrying his wife Lori [Peacock] and raising three accomplished daughters Erica, Haley, and Kelsey.

From 1986 to 1995, Jim became the Deputy General Counsel for Alliant Tech Systems, a major US defense contractor.  Jim was responsible for Alliant Tech’s Labor and HR legal operations. Jim retired with acclaim from Alliant Tech Systems in 1995. Around this time, Jim moved to Florida along with Ms. Jackie Manthos, his partner for the next 20 years.

After his retirement, Jim resided with Jackie in Lutz, FL. They both found a shared appreciation for jazz and philosophical discussion. A favorite travel pastime for Jim and Jackie was the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City.  Jim was sure a part of Jackie would always remain at the Village Vanguard, even to this day. Jim also supported Jackie in her extensive charity work with the Catholic St. Vincent DePaul organization. They also enjoyed sharing many a dinner and discussion with their favorite catholic priest, Father Bob.

After Jackie’s untimely passing in 2015, Jim enjoyed his hobby of reading, particularly Civil War history.  This engendered several trips to various Civil War battlefields, battle reenactments, and other sites notable in Civil War history. He enjoyed visits from his family and was a regular patron of his favorite local restaurants.  He also enjoyed weekly lunches his friend, neighbor Bruce Boyer, together with a group of successful local businessmen whose political views were at odds with Jim’s far more liberal perspectives.  Ever the litigator, Jim relished the intellectual repartee of the lunches.

Throughout his life, Jim maintained loving relationships with his family, siblings, their spouses, and his numerous nieces and nephews. He enjoyed watching his children grow into the successful adults and raise accomplished children of their own. Jim led a life filled with jazz, history, family, literature, logic, law, politics, philosophy, and, of course, love.

While his passing was traumatic and completely unexpected, he died a happy man.  All who knew him will miss him.  He rests now in the arms of a loving God.  Requiescat in Pace, Dad.  Via con Dios, para siempre.

Jim’s funeral will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, June 16th, 2023, at the Red Wing United Methodist Church located at 403 East Avenue, Red Wing, MN 55066.