Kohler was born February 20, 1939 to Ruth Miriam DeYoung Kohler (1906–1953) and Herbert Vollrath Kohler Sr. (1891–1968), who ran the Kohler Company from 1937 until his death. He is related to other former company Presidents, including Walter J. Kohler Sr. and Walter J. Kohler Jr. He was educated at The Choate School (now Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, Connecticut), of which he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2005-10. He graduated in 1965 from Yale University with a degree in Industrial Administration and went to work for the company. In June 1972, he was elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer at the age of 33.