In 1972, a 25-year-old boy laid down his suitcase at the U.S. Navy medical entomologist in Jacksonville, FL. It’s his first time in the Sunshine State. He joined the Medical Service Corps as a commissioned lieutenant to study mosquitoes that usually spread diseases around people living in Florida.
Here is Dr. Philip Koehler’s story. Koehler is an entomologist who served for 51 years, conducting significant research on mosquitoes throughout the entire Sunshine State. Koehler’s suitcase is full of trophies and accomplishments. Today, he is 76, living in Gainesville, and continues mentoring students as an emeritus professor at the University of Florida.
Whether he was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in 1947, Koehler’s passion for observing insects oriented his path to Florida after completing a doctorate in New York.
Koehler left behind his hometown, friends, and family. At school, classmates described Koehler as a geek. He was influenced by his English teacher for her fantastic communication skills. In his neighborhood, he was the teen who spent all his free time observing small creatures around the 1.5 miles of trails that surrounded his native land. “I could spend days by the curb trail watching the ants,” Koehler said.
Koehler is a distinguished entomologist whose research concerns harmful insect behavior, habitat, pesticides, mosquito traps, etc. He is involved in more than 28 published patents and became in 2020 as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Florida’s natural environment has two things people like – the weather – and one they hate – the mosquitoes. Koehler hunts the things that create this antipathy while giving people peace of mind to enjoy what Floridians like.
The Sunshine State has beautiful beaches, good weather, and mosquitoes. Professor Koehler’s main job has been to study insects and protect the good ones while researching ways to eliminate harmful ones.
Koehler is often described as a great professor for his work with students. He joined the University of Florida in 1975 as an assistant professor. Today, he is an emeritus professor. Koehler’s mentorship is the sunshine that brightens 83 graduated students in entomology.
As an urban entomologist, he has secured over $10 million in funding from federal, corporate, and state agencies. His endeavors have built the foundation for establishing an internationally recognized program in urban pest management and environmental improvement in homes and schools.
He has helped significantly prevent outrageous epidemics usually provoked by unsafe insects in Florida. Koehler’s publications are essential to guide people in Florida to choose appropriate pesticides and pest control services. He also provides significant information about insecticides used in the urban environment, invisible itches, and pests associated with mulch and moisture. Reading Professor Koehler is an obligation for Florida residents. That could save you money and time.
Koehler’s achievements include 181 published peer-reviewed articles, four books, seven book chapters, and over 752 Extension fact sheets and circulars.
If Florida is associated with mosquitoes, it is because of its good weather – And people like Florida’s weather and beaches. But, if Koehler is a valuable entomologist, it’s because of his work on mosquitoes, pesticides, and traps. He studies insect behavior to protect some while preventing and killing the harmful ones.
Besides his childhood happiness, he has a keen eye for mosquito observation. His publications proved it. At Catawba College, he studied biology; at Cornell University, he studied entomology.
Koehler is known for one thing people like about others: enthusiastic humor. That characteristic helped him see the light at the end of the tunnel in challenging moments.
He was a tenth grader when he started working at McDonald’s. “I started working as soon as I was old enough to get a work permit from the state,” Koehler said.
However, the enthusiastic young boy didn’t abandon his love of observing insects. He denied a business opportunity offered by his manager. “My manager told me if I didn’t go back to college, he would give me a McDonald’s to manage, and I’d be part owner of the franchise,” explained Koehler, who, at that time, was a sophomore in college and went to work to increase his savings for education.
As a teenager, Koehler wanted to play baseball. When he finally entered a baseball team, he spent the whole playing time on the bench. “You know the worst player is always put in the right field; I was the right fielder on my team.” Koehler’s passion for insect observation sweeps over his willingness to play. He said, “On the field, I was watching the ants crawling around on the ground rather than the ball,” Koehler said. Consequently, the coach made the right decision by benching him.
Additionally, Koehler’s relationship with others shows a fantastic sense of humor that characterizes his childhood. The other word that summarizes Koehler’s characteristics is enthusiasm. That one word describes Koehler’s behavior and communication skills toward others in his career.
Koehler is proud of his family. “I have two sons, and they both got their doctorate in engineering, one in mechanical engineering and the other in electrical engineering,” Koehler explained. Even though his children don’t follow his step-in entomology, he is more than satisfied with their choice. “They’re their own person, and they’ve done very well in their own way,” Koehler added.
Koehler admires Lee Mays’ works. “He is a biologist who worked on the system of nomenclature that we have for animals,” He explained. Charles Darwin and David Pimentel, two great entomologists, could be on the list of famous people Professor Koehler would invite for dinner. He also admires John Henry Comstock’s works.
Koehler’s works are crucial for the state of Florida; however, he doesn’t treat himself as a famous researcher. “I don’t consider myself as doing outrageous things, or the main thing that I’ve done is try to help the students improve themselves,” Koehler concluded with a smile.
Despite all the challenging periods of his life, he said, “I actually have enjoyed everything that I’ve done.” Today, he is 76, and he still lives in Florida. Visit the University of Florida’s website and take a little time to admire Koehler’s works.
DC of Tampa 
Leave a comment