MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff beginning Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, until the date of interment for former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl. Kohl died Dec. 27 at the age of 88. 

“A Milwaukeean and Wisconsinite through and through, U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl dedicated his life to serving our kids, our communities, our state, and our country,” Gov. Evers said in a statement Dec. 27. “Sen. Kohl was, without a doubt, nobody’s senator but ours. Kathy and I are devastated by the news of his passing.

“Sen. Kohl was deeply committed to community, kindness, and service to others. Wisconsin’s seniors, students, teachers, and schools, and farmers and rural areas, among so many others, are better off because of his life and legacy, the impacts of which will last for generations.”

Services for former U.S. Sen. Kohl are set to occur at a future date in January. Executive Order #219 will be in effect beginning on Dec. 28, 2023, until interment.

Kohl served 24 years as a U.S. Senator, having first been elected in 1989. He was succeeded by Tammy Baldwin in 2013. Kohl was also the founder of the Kohl’s department store chain, and owned the Milwaukee Bucks from 1985-2014. The Kohl Center arena in Madison, built in 1998 and home of many Wisconsin Badgers athletic teams, was named after him.

Prior to entering politics, he was a member of the United States Army Reserve from 1958-1964. He earned a Bachelor of Science from UW-Madison in 1958 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School in 1958. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. 

“Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin, friends and colleagues of Sen. Kohl, and the many people whose lives he impacted — both near and far — in offering our sincerest condolences to the Kohl family and the Herb Kohl Foundation in mourning the loss of this Wisconsin giant,” Gov. Evers said.

Mark Pocan (D), Wisconsin’s 2nd District U.S. Representative, said Senator Kohl was a unique fixture in American politics.

“His giving spirit, both during and after public service, made him such an effective senator. Herb always put Wisconsinites first and always delivered for Wisconsin. My thoughts are with his family today,” Pocan said.

Dr. Jill Underly, Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s State Superintendent, said she was devastated by the news, calling Kohl “a champion for public education and school kids.”

“As a graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools and UW-Madison, and as a champion for our democracy, today we’ve lost one of the very best — a true mensch. I wish my best to his entire family, and I thank them for sharing him with all of us,” Underly said.