Paul C. Kohlman

Paul C. Kohlman, 87, of Billings, passed away, January 14, 2011.

The son of Paul and Hildegarde Kohlman, he was born in Redfield, South Dakota. Paul attended 1 semester at the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City before serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Paul became an officer, was a navigator on B24's, was stationed in Italy, and flew 27 missions. He often was the lead navigator for his missions.

Following his discharge at the end of the war he returned to Rapid City to finish college on the GI Bill where he met Ann Ofstad. He and Ann married, June 5, 1949, the weekend after he graduated with his degree in Geology and Petroleum Engineering. The next day Paul and Ann set out driving through the Mid Western states combining their honeymoon with a job search for Paul in the oil and gas business.

He began his career with Shell Oil and his work took the family to Tulsa and Denver before settling in Billings in 1955. At the age of 34 years Paul left the corporate world and became an independent geologist. He was able to pursue one of the big loves of his life: the ups and downs, and the excitement of the oil and gas business for the remainder of his life. Paul always said that he felt very fortunate to be surrounded by the talented, competent people of the Billings professional community.

Paul and Ann raised 5 children and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1999 before Ann passed in February 2000.

Paul moved into the Sweetwater Retirement Community 4 years ago. Sweetwater truly became Dad's home and embraced all his family as well. We wish to thank Sweetwater Retirement for their never-ending compassion, love, and assistance provided to Dad.

The family would like to thank his medical professionals and most recently Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Survivors include three daughters and their families, Val Kohlman and husband Grahame Atkinson of Longmont, CO, Nancy Kohlman Holl, her husband Kevin and their children Daniel and Erin of Grand Junction, CO, and Darcy Ermantinger, her husband Dan and their children Katy and Lochlin of Missoula. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Berthamay Lyon, Marie Ethier and Barbara Kohlman.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife Ann, sons, Scott and Rex and brothers, Dale and Dean.

As Paul was fond of saying, "love ya, love ya, love ya and bye-bye."

Visitation will begin 2pm Wednesday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral services will be held 11am, Friday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Interment with Military Honors will be 2pm at Mountview Cemetery.

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