Herb Kohl, ex-US Senator and for basketball enthusiasts, beloved former Milwaukee Bucks owner, has passed away. Herb Kohl Philanthropies announced his death on Wednesday. They did not give a reason other than mentioning that there was a period of brief illness.

Anyone who is a Bucks fan will know everything he’s done for the NBA team. Purchasing the team in 1985 for $18 million just so that they wouldn’t lose a sports team from Wisconsin is just one of his numerous acts. His refusal to sell the team to Michael Jordan is another memorable incident. Before we look at some of the contributions Kohl made throughout his life, let us take a moment to join others in condolence. Adrian Wojnarowski’s post on his death has set the stage for several condolence messages flowing in.

One user’s heartbroken sorrow can be felt from his words, “RIP! Thanks for all you did for Milwaukee“

Another user seemed to be shaken up by the death. So much so that his comment reflects his passion and respect for Kohl.

Yet another user looked like he is having a hard time believing the whole incident.

Another user thanked the legend for making his childhood memorable. “Rip sir I thank you for my many. Childhood memories at the Bradly center,” he wrote. A sentiment that is echoed by many, for sure.

And finally, one user shared another instance of why Herb Kohl is so very loved by the people of Wisconsin. “Thank you Mr. Kohl, I still remember him refusing to sell to MJ because he wouldn’t promise to keep the team in Milwaukee. Took balls to not make that deal,” he wrote.

Clearly, his contributions to the community aren’t something that can be quantified. One of the wealthiest US Senators, Kohl, was also the richest Jewish American from Wisconsin. After graduating from Harvard’s Business School with a master’s in 1958, he put them to good use in his real estate and stock market career.

With the experience he gained from there, Herb Kohl started his own company, Kohl Investments. While his accomplishments that contributed to his $400 million net worth are impressive, he is remembered for his selfless nature.

The contributions of Herb Kohl to his beloved community

It was in 1985 that Kohl bought the Milwaukee Bucks from Jim Fitzgerald for $18 million. At the time, it was a small-market team that was in its sixth straight winning season. The only professional sports team owner of the Senate, he was once reported to have said, “The opportunity I was given to purchase and to keep the team here in Milwaukee is one of the most unique and fortunate experiences I’ve ever enjoyed.”

There was one famous moment when Michael Jordan, after his retirement, was interested in buying the Bucks franchise. However, the narrative surrounding the proposed deal suggested that MJ intended to take the team somewhere else. Due to his commitment to keep the team in Milwaukee, Kohl decided to move away from the deal.

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Taking care of the Bucks for 29 years, Kohl eventually sold the team to New York billionaires Wes Edens and Marc Lasry in 2014. Not soon after, he donated $100 million to rebuild the Bradley Center arena to Fiserv Forum. Taxpayers contributed another $250 million.

But his endowments weren’t isolated to the NBA or basketball. A $25 million was donated to the University of Wisconsin to build the Kohl Center, the largest private donation to the university! He had also used his own finances to fund the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. It donates money to schools, teachers, and students for scholarships and fellowships.

Even during his political reign, Kohl remained true to himself. Only speaking up when issues that threatened the public interest were brought to the forefront, Herb Kohl was a senator who left his “ego at the door”. Another interesting fact is that he never accepted a pay raise since his joining the Senate in 1989. Kohl had a salary of $89,500 a year for the entire time he held the office. The rest of the money was returned to the Treasury Department.

One can imagine why his death would affect so many people. There is no doubt that there are a few thousand, at the very least, whose life was changed by one of his generous contributions!

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