Herbert M. Kobler Biography
Herbert Martin "Herb" Kobler was born Sept. 13, 1919, near Marion, Ill. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kobler, he grew up on a farm near Marion and attended Marion High School. He was active in both FFA and 4-H. Through the help of his county extension adviser, Herb received a Sears Roebuck Scholarship, enabling him to enroll at the University of Illinois in the fall of 1938. He majored in general agriculture, financing his schooling with his scholarship, part-time work, and pay received from the National Guard of which he was a member. His studies were interrupted by military service.
Herb helped to develop numerous procedures and policies in the early years of Nabor House. For example, as a member of the first house work committee, he helped develop the first set of rules and procedures for the scheduling and performing of house duties. Those rules and procedures served as an example and have greatly influenced the current ones. As a member of the committee to upgrade the constitution and bylaws, he made significant contributions to its advancement. Herb also made some intangible contributions, the kind that are very meaningful but seldom recognized for their true value. For example, he could always be counted on to do his part in the many varied tasks of cooperative living. A strong team man, he also set an excellent example for the younger members of the house. His positive outlook and approach to the tasks and challenges at hand exerted beneficial influence on all those around him.
When the National Guard was Federalized in November 1940, Herb began a five-year stint of active duty with two and one-half years in Australia as a Technician 3rd Grade in Topographic engineering. Upon his discharge from the military, he re-enrolled at the University and received his B.S. in 1947. As an undergraduate, Herb was a member of the Hoof and Horn and Poultry Science Clubs and was on the U of I poultry Judging Team. He received a Master of Education degree in 1955 from Illinois and later did graduate work in administration at SIU-Carbondale. On April 18, 1942, Herb married Gertrude Broeking. They had five children: Kay Paullette, Jennifer Jean, Barbara Louise, Gwendowlyn Sue, and Kimberly Ann. They also had nine grandchildren.
After graduating from college, Herb taught veterans in the GI On-the-Farm Training Program. In 1951, he became the Vocational Agriculture Instructor at Marion, Ill., High School and continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1983. He also taught part time in the Adult and Continuing Education Program at John A. Logan Junior College in Carterville, Ill. Even after retiring, he continued to teach as a substitute at both the Junior and Senior High Schools in Marion, Ill.
During his career, Herb was very active in professional and community activities. He was a member of numerous education and vocational associations and served as president of the Marion Unit Education Association. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Williamson County Farm Bureau. He served as chairman of his county's Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors and was secretary of the Southwestern Land Use Council. For 17 years, he was a volunteer service worker in the Marion Youth Baseball League. Active in the Zion United Church of Christ in Marion throughout his lifetime, he served in many capacities, including member of the Church Council and Sunday School Superintendent.
- Taken from "An Idea and An Ideal: Nabor House Fraternity 1939-1989
Herb helped to develop numerous procedures and policies in the early years of Nabor House. For example, as a member of the first house work committee, he helped develop the first set of rules and procedures for the scheduling and performing of house duties. Those rules and procedures served as an example and have greatly influenced the current ones. As a member of the committee to upgrade the constitution and bylaws, he made significant contributions to its advancement. Herb also made some intangible contributions, the kind that are very meaningful but seldom recognized for their true value. For example, he could always be counted on to do his part in the many varied tasks of cooperative living. A strong team man, he also set an excellent example for the younger members of the house. His positive outlook and approach to the tasks and challenges at hand exerted beneficial influence on all those around him.
When the National Guard was Federalized in November 1940, Herb began a five-year stint of active duty with two and one-half years in Australia as a Technician 3rd Grade in Topographic engineering. Upon his discharge from the military, he re-enrolled at the University and received his B.S. in 1947. As an undergraduate, Herb was a member of the Hoof and Horn and Poultry Science Clubs and was on the U of I poultry Judging Team. He received a Master of Education degree in 1955 from Illinois and later did graduate work in administration at SIU-Carbondale. On April 18, 1942, Herb married Gertrude Broeking. They had five children: Kay Paullette, Jennifer Jean, Barbara Louise, Gwendowlyn Sue, and Kimberly Ann. They also had nine grandchildren.
After graduating from college, Herb taught veterans in the GI On-the-Farm Training Program. In 1951, he became the Vocational Agriculture Instructor at Marion, Ill., High School and continued in that capacity until his retirement in 1983. He also taught part time in the Adult and Continuing Education Program at John A. Logan Junior College in Carterville, Ill. Even after retiring, he continued to teach as a substitute at both the Junior and Senior High Schools in Marion, Ill.
During his career, Herb was very active in professional and community activities. He was a member of numerous education and vocational associations and served as president of the Marion Unit Education Association. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Williamson County Farm Bureau. He served as chairman of his county's Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors and was secretary of the Southwestern Land Use Council. For 17 years, he was a volunteer service worker in the Marion Youth Baseball League. Active in the Zion United Church of Christ in Marion throughout his lifetime, he served in many capacities, including member of the Church Council and Sunday School Superintendent.
- Taken from "An Idea and An Ideal: Nabor House Fraternity 1939-1989