Biography:

Stephen Gregory Kahler. October 20, 1947 -- June 23, 2025. Steve was born in Evanston, IL, to Frederick August Kahler III and Janet Gregory Kahler. During his childhood, he lived north of Chicago; in Davenport, IA; and in San Diego and Los Angeles. After graduating from University High school in LA, he attended Princeton University and Duke University Medical School.

Over the course of his career in pediatric genetics, he worked at the University of North Carolina, Duke, the Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne, Australia, Johns Hopkins, UAMS, and the University of Kentucky. He was particularly fascinated by metabolic illness and is internationally known for his work in inborn errors of metabolism. He was much loved by his patients’ families, who could see his joy in helping their children. The Arkansas Autism Research & Outreach Center presented him with their 2024 Angel Award. His passion for the potential of early diagnosis to improve or save the lives of children with metabolic diseases led to his work to expand newborn screening programs across the US and in Australia, projects that have saved thousands of lives. 

He was equally passionate about music and nature. He played the piano every night, and those who knew him came to know Beethoven and Chopin well. In Arkansas, he sang with multiple choral groups, including the UALR Community Chorus, the Arkansas Chamber Singers, Arkansas Choral Society, and the choir at St. Mark’s, his beloved church. He learned a love of birdwatching from his grandparents and could often be found with a pair of binoculars at the ready. 

He is predeceased by his parents; his sister, Carol Kahler Cunningham; and Julia Pemberton Kahler, his wife of 43 years. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Sherrill; his daughter, Jean Kahler (Jessica Rowe); and grandchildren Graham and Julia Kahler-Rowe, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends around the world. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Doctors Without Borders, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and the Nature Conservancy.  

A visitation will be held 5-7 pm on Tuesday, July 8, at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham. A funeral will be held at 1 pm on Wednesday, July 9, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi, and streaming online at https://www.youtube.com/@lovesaintmarks.