Donald A. Koehler (September 1, 1925 – February 26, 1981) is one of 24 known people in medical history to reach a height of 8 feet (240 cm) or more. He was generally recognized as the tallest living man in the world from at least 1969 until his death in 1981. At one time, Koehler stood 8 ft 2 in (249 cm) tall, a result of the medical condition gigantism.
He was born in Denton, Montana, United States. Koehler and his twin sister were born to parents of taller than average height. Their mother was 5 ft 10 in (178 cm); their father was 6 ft 2 in (188 cm). He started an abnormal period of growth when he was 10 years old. The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed Koehler at a standing height of 8 ft 2 in (249 cm) tall at his peak. His twin sister was 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) for a record difference of 2 ft 5 in (74 cm) between the twins as recognized by Guinness.
As a youth, he lived with his family on the north side of Chicago, attending Amundsen High School.
Koehler's wore shoes that were size 22, but he once stated that his most bothersome clothing problem was finding socks that fit him. He was later able to find a hosiery company in Pennsylvania that began custom-making socks for him.[1]
For 25 years Koehler worked as a salesman for the Big Joe Manufacturing Company, retiring three years before his death.[2] He considered his size to be an advantage, for potential customers would often want to meet with him out of curiosity, and they always remembered him.[3]
Later life and death
Later in life, he suffered from the medical condition kyphosis, resulting in (often severe) curvature of the spine. Koehler died in 1981 in Chicago from a reported heart condition, by which time he was estimated to be about 7 ft 10 in (239 cm) tall. He was 55 years old.[4][5][6]
Per Koehler's wishes, his body was cremated, and his ashes scattered on a lake in Wisconsin where he liked to fish.[7]
References
^Tallest man Don Koehler dies at 55, Chicago Tribune, February 26, 1961, page 53
^Don A. Koehler (Memorial), Chicago Tribune, February 27, 1981, page 43
^Wayne Dunham, Giant May Be Last of His Kind, Miami Herald, December 9, 1973, page 173
^. May 23, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-05-23.
^"A history of record-breaking giants 100 years after the tallest man ever was born". Guinness World Records. February 22, 2019.
^"World's Tallest Man Dead at 55". The New York Times. February 27, 1981.
^Don Koehler, world’s tallest man, The Herald-News (Passaic, NJ), February 27, 1981, page 29
koehler, donald, koehler, september, 1925, february, 1981, known, people, medical, history, reach, height, feet, more, generally, recognized, tallest, living, world, from, least, 1969, until, death, 1981, time, koehler, stood, tall, result, medical, condition,. Donald A Koehler September 1 1925 February 26 1981 is one of 24 known people in medical history to reach a height of 8 feet 240 cm or more He was generally recognized as the tallest living man in the world from at least 1969 until his death in 1981 At one time Koehler stood 8 ft 2 in 249 cm tall a result of the medical condition gigantism Donald A KoehlerBorn 1925 09 01 September 1 1925Denton Montana U S DiedFebruary 26 1981 1981 02 26 aged 55 Chicago Illinois U S Height8 ft 2 75 in 250 83 cm He was born in Denton Montana United States Koehler and his twin sister were born to parents of taller than average height Their mother was 5 ft 10 in 178 cm their father was 6 ft 2 in 188 cm He started an abnormal period of growth when he was 10 years old The Guinness Book of World Records confirmed Koehler at a standing height of 8 ft 2 in 249 cm tall at his peak His twin sister was 5 ft 9 in 175 cm for a record difference of 2 ft 5 in 74 cm between the twins as recognized by Guinness As a youth he lived with his family on the north side of Chicago attending Amundsen High School Koehler s wore shoes that were size 22 but he once stated that his most bothersome clothing problem was finding socks that fit him He was later able to find a hosiery company in Pennsylvania that began custom making socks for him 1 Contents 1 Employment 2 Later life and death 3 References 4 External linksEmployment EditFor 25 years Koehler worked as a salesman for the Big Joe Manufacturing Company retiring three years before his death 2 He considered his size to be an advantage for potential customers would often want to meet with him out of curiosity and they always remembered him 3 Later life and death EditLater in life he suffered from the medical condition kyphosis resulting in often severe curvature of the spine Koehler died in 1981 in Chicago from a reported heart condition by which time he was estimated to be about 7 ft 10 in 239 cm tall He was 55 years old 4 5 6 Per Koehler s wishes his body was cremated and his ashes scattered on a lake in Wisconsin where he liked to fish 7 References Edit Tallest man Don Koehler dies at 55 Chicago Tribune February 26 1961 page 53 Don A Koehler Memorial Chicago Tribune February 27 1981 page 43 Wayne Dunham Giant May Be Last of His Kind Miami Herald December 9 1973 page 173 Don Koehler The tallest man Chicago May 23 2014 Archived from the original on 2014 05 23 A history of record breaking giants 100 years after the tallest man ever was born Guinness World Records February 22 2019 World s Tallest Man Dead at 55 The New York Times February 27 1981 Don Koehler world s tallest man The Herald News Passaic NJ February 27 1981 page 29External links EditThe Tallest Man Don Koehler Famous People Height ListUnknownTitle last held byVaino Myllyrinne Tallest Recognized Personc 1969 1981 UnknownTitle next held byZeng Jinlian Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Don Koehler amp oldid 1117063224, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
