Bowling Green State University - Key Yearbook (Bowling Green, OH)

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DR. CLAYTON C. KOHL Page I I

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Page I0 To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. -TENNYSON. ITHIN the sixty odd years which the life span of Dr. Clayton Kohl covered, many people were influenced and guided by the force of this man. Of this Grove Patterson wrote: The influence he definitely exerted on the lives of Toledo young people, when he was a teacher here, the lives he had touched and quick- ened in Bowling Green State University, the changes he has made in the lives of adults by his inspiring lectures-all this is immeasurable and past finding out. Why this was true is well understood by any one of those who was definitely influenced and guided by him. Aimless living gains nothing. Planned living reaps its own reward-in personal satisfaction-in recognition. Such a life was that of Dr. Kohl. Few men could strive, could seek, and find as he did, Few would refuse to yield-would carry on as he did, even after death. His life was ever a continual struggle upward and outward. Educated in neigh- boring schools, his first advancement was to teach in these schools. Desiring more knowledge he attended Ohio State University where he received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He then taught and became principal and superintendent at Mechanics- burg, Ohio. Further education in New York University, further teaching at Holyoke College in Nlassachusetts, New York University, Scott High School in Toledo, and Bowling Green University-all represent his path upward. Still his upward swing did not prevent him from striving to broaden his interests. He was not a narrow school teacher or professor. Pure knowledge was not his aim. Rather he sought the relation of this knowledge to the situations and conditions around him. Social interests and social problems, community endeavors-all gained his inter- est and his cooperation. Few men had interests as broad as his. Nor was his interest given for pure monetary gain. What he sought was more intangible-more satisfying than money could be. What he sought could seldom be measured objectively. Entirely personal reward seldom directed his activity. What he sought first was a firm foundation of faith and knowledge. To gain this he spared no time-no effort. By infinite reading and study, perpetual questioning, continual testing, he sought to find this firm foundation. What he sought secondly was an op- portunity to use his broad basis of knowledge and faith to aid others to arrive at a similar goal. Erudition for himself only was not his aim. What he sought third was to find in others this desire for knowledge. A slight impatience with mere loafers often betrayed his feelings. A satisfactory life would find what it sought. His was a satisfactory life. The firm foundation of knowledge and- faith he arrived at. His religious convictions were strong. His store of knowledge infinite. But mere satisfaction never kept him from seeking other proofs, other knowledge. He continually sought for more. And to em- ploy his broad basis to aid others he found scores of opportunities-civic clubs, Uni- versity and church classes, study groups, community organizations all received his serv- ices. On them he exerted great influence. Through them he attempted leading others to a firm foundation of faith and knowledge. His life was a continual striving, seeking, and finding-but never a yielding. Con- tinually going forward in spite of all-continually extending his influence farther, Dr. Kohl did not yield even in death. As N111 Patterson said, he does not become merely a splendid memory. He remains a positive force in the lives of a multitude who sat at his feet and learned from him.

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