Terrye, I just learned about Terry Lee's passing Saturday this Saturday at the DeDear family reunion. I am so sorry.  Frank and I always enjoyed visiting with him during the reunions.  I regret that I did not get a chance to get to kow him better. As my mother's youngest cousin I always found it interesting that he was younger than or about the same age as mama's children. 

Blessings,
Dianna Kidd Kinkead and Frank Kinkead

I was looking through the PE magazine and saw Dr. Kohutek's name listed in memoriam. I was sorry to hear of his passing. He was a terrific professor and truly cared about teaching his students. Please accept our deepest sympathy.

Matt Alexander, PE - Class of '92

Terrye,

I am so sorry to hear about Dr. K's passing in your letter.  As I'm sure you know, I was one of the many student's who's life Terry touched.  I was a non-traditional student who was on the verge of quitting CE because I couldn't pass structural analysis(CVEN 345).  Even though he wasn't my advisor, he, for lack of a better term, "held my hand" and counselled me through.  From that, grew a friendship that carried me through the rest of my time at A&M and into my professional career.

I remember the heartfelt e-mail he send me back when I let him know about me becoming a P.E. and when I last saw him in 2010 after he became assistant department head,  we shared war stories about how we both grew as supervisors and managers.

What a great mentor and good friend he was.  I share in your's and A&M's loss of a great teacher and person.  Thanks for sharing him with us.

Noel Salac '88 (CVEN '97)

Terry made a profound impact on my Aggie experience 27 years ago as the professor for my required CE class (statics?  structures?).  He is one of only a handful of professors whose name I can recall.  And I remember him well.  Great teacher and person.  Genuinely cared about his students in an environment where that value was not always recognized or rewarded.  Continued prayers for his closest friends and family -- I know there are many.

I just learned of Dr. Kohutek's passing while reading through the Texas Board of Professional Engineers Express publication.  Dr. Kohutek was - without any doubt - THE BEST professor I had while attending Texas A&M for my Civil Engineering degree.  His absence on campus will leave a void that no one can fill.  He truly cared about the success of his students - and less about "being publicized".  God called a GREAT Engineer home with his passing.

I just recently learned of Dr. Kohutek's passing.  He was my student advisor and a great mentor.  I had him for three classes and enjoyed his teaching so much.  There will be such a hole when I visit A&M now and know that I can no longer look up my favorite professor.  Texas A&M and world has lost a great man.

Am really sorry to see this. Dr. Kohutek was absolutely instrumental in helping one of my best students get into A&M and the engineering program and in guiding her academic career there. Really grateful for his help.

Terry (and your loving wife Terrye):
I just learned of your passing today (about three months later), I'm so sorry buddy.
I will miss your laughter and the stories we shared of our time as students at Texas A&M.

Terry was a fine young man and he contributed greatly to the success of the Mac Band in his high school years. It was my honor to have known and taught him during these early years. I am also proud of him for achieving the many great accomplishments in his adult life. John Pearson, Band Director, Douglas MacAthur 
High School 1958-1973

Terry was a man that you will never forget.  I am way late in signing because I just found out today talking with another Ag.  I didnt want to believe it and sadly found out it was true.  It is obvious by all the loving messages what Terry was made out of.  Terry stood out at the university and I still tell tales of some of the fun we had in my lab.  Gonna miss ya Big Kahuna!!

He helped me graduate and told me he showed kindness and helped me, all he asked in return was to return the favor to someone else.  I promised him I would not just because he asked me to, but because that's the kind of person A&M made me into.

Great professor and even better person. He believed in me as a student when no one else did and gave me a chance of a lifetime.

Texas A&M and the entire Civil Engineering community lost a valued treasure with the passing of Dr. Kohutek.  He was an incredible Professor, mentor, & friend to so many that his smile and sense of humor will truely be missed.  I have so many fond memories of Dr. Kohutek & I owe so much to him that words cannot explain.  What a blessing it was to know him and share his passion for life & engineering.  He will be missed, but never forgotten.  My condolences to Mrs. Kohutek.

Dr Kohutek was very instrumental in the success of my son, Corey, getting his Civil Engineering degree. Corey experienced a number of hardships in his quest to graduate from Texas A&M with a Civil Engineering degree, and it was Dr Kohutek who was there to provide encouragement and direction. Corey did graduate in May of this year and it was largely in part to the guidance and support of Dr Kohutek. I was fortunate to get to meet with him at the graduation ceromony there at the Dwight Look Building of Engineering and it will truely be an experience to treasure. I want to offer my deepest condolences to Dr. Kohutek's wife in this time of sorrow.
                                               Don Garrison (San Antonio)

My thoughts and prayers go to him and his family during these difficult times.....I will never forget Mr. Kohutek for his laughter and for everything that he did for me during my student years at Texas A&M University....

The Young family Colin, Jane, James and Robert send their heartfelt condolences. Terry brought life and laughter to our neighborhood,he will be deeply missed. He was a treasure. Love to his family

We were so shocked to hear of Terry's death. He was only 13 when Wilbert came to be pastor at NE Baptist in San Antonio. WE loved the whole family. Wilbert participated in your wedding--and in his two sisters also. Our prayers are with you.

    the Wilbert Longs

I am saddened to hear of Dr. Kohutek's death.  He really was an amazing professor who connected with students and made learning fun.  I went into transportation operations but remember fondly my time studying structures in Dr. Kohutek's undergrad class.  We lost an amazing teacher and friend on August 4th.  God bless you, Kohutek Family.  Joan German Hudson '89 (Austin, Texas)

He represents the true vocation of teaching. I met him during his PhD work at Austin, when I was just 15 years old and he always treated me with attention and respect; I am sure that is one of the many traits that made him a favorite professor and adviser at A&M.  I will miss not having him around.  Love you Terrye.

Kohutek was the best adviser I had during college.

Dr. Kohutek was by far one of the nicest people you could ever meet as well as one of the best professors ever. He made the material enjoyable and easy to understand for us students. If you ever had a problem, no matter if it was about school or just life, you could just drop by his office and he would stop whatever he was doing to talk to you and help you out, no matter if it lasted for 5 minutes or an hour. We are at a great loss without him. He will truly be missed by everyone that was fortunate enough to know him.

Dr.Kohutek has made a positive impact on many Aggie civil engineers. He was passionate toward the course subject, student development and the growth of the Civil Engineering Department. I was blessed to have him as a Structures and Steel professor, and served with him through the Aggie Ambassadors. He loved to teach and he cared for each one of his student in to learn the subject matter. His classes were challenging but he made learning fun. His teaching and inspiration has encouraged everyone to do so much more than meeting the standard. His legacy will forever live at Texas A&M and through Aggie Civil Engineers worldwide. Dr.Kohutek, your history lives and you will be remembered.

Terrye, My deepest sympathy is with you.  Terry Kohutek had this special way of not only inspiring his students to do better, but also making the material enjoyable.  He was the best!  The world lost a great man and a great teacher.

Terrye, your husband was such a great mentor to so many Aggie Engineering students, but he was also a helpful counselor to my son who graduated with honors last year, and to my daughter who is starting Civil Engineering at A&M this fall.  He was also a brother of mine in Sigma Phi Epsilon, and a true friend when he welcomed me back to Aggieland and KBTX-TV.  We will all miss that personality and laugh that made us so lucky to know Terry.

Dr. Kohutek was my son's favorite teacher at A&M.  I am so sorry to learn of his death.  Please accept my condolences.

Dr. Kohutek was an excellent teacher and mentor, as well as family friend.  I am forever grateful for having known him.  He will certainly be missed by those who knew him and any future students who would have had the pleasure of knowing him as well.  Thank you Dr. Kohutek for helping me through my tough times as a Civil Engineering student at A&M!  My thoughts go out to his family.

Dr. Kohutek was one of the most caring and inspiring teachers I ever had. I truly enjoyed the classes I had with him. This is truly a sad day for the Aggie Engineering family.

I met Terry and Terrye 20 years ago when I was a pup Park Ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park. I've met thousands of park visitors over the years but none that I have kept in touch with for 20 years. They are just that kind of people. Very sad to have lost such a great individual, teacher, park supporter, and all around wonderful human. The planet won't be the same. Best to the whole extended family. Ranger Tom

Dear Terrye,

I am so sorry for your loss.  I lived in Davis Gary in '69 with Terry and many of his good friends.  I had a number of CE classes with him and we spent a lot of time together with Theo and Greg.  I will never forget his sense of humor and wonderful laugh.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

terry was one of the most likeable people i have ever had the pleasure of knowing. he lived next door to me in the fall of 1969 in davis-gary hall. we became frat brothers and founding members of sig eps. his teaching career should be an inspiration to all of us,just read the entries from his former students.terrye, i am so sorry for your loss,may the good lord comfort you during this time of sorrow.bill hannis '73

So very sorry to hear of Terry's passing away.  A close friend in school and in graduate school working for TTI.  Professionally, always great to work with and helpful in directing talent to our company.  I have many fond memories of Terry and our mutual interests.  A really great guy.  God bless Terry and all of your family.

I am so very lucky to have been Dr. Terry's student and friend.  What an incredible, one-of-a-kind teacher and genuine, fun loving human being!  I will miss being able to pick up the phone to catch up or get his thoughts on structural challenges....only to be told (before that awesome laugh and then excellent advice) that the warranty and technical support maintenance period had run out since I graduated.  Point being, he never stopped being a friend, teacher and mentor, and he wouldn't have it any other way.  I am truly blessed to have known him. Thank you TLK!

Dr. Terry Kohutek was one of the nicest men (bosses) that I ever worked for during my years of service @TAMU. He was always a gentlemen. He was a wonderful professor and advisor to all the students. He was always available to the students if they needed help. He will truly be missed in the Civil Engineering Program @TAMU! God bless his wonderful wife and his family. You are in my prayers.

Dr. Kohutek, was an awesome professor and inspiration to others.  I consider it a pleasure to have known such a great man.  He will be greatly missed, but remembered in the hearts of many fellow Aggie civil engineers who knew him.

Terrye, I was so saddened to hear the news. I so looked forward to his visits to the office and will miss him and his joyful attitude. Praying God's comfort for you.       Cathy Reed

Dr. Kohutek was an inspiring teacher. The best professor I ever had. He will be remembered and missed by all his students.

I was stunned to see this, it seems like such a short time ago when I had Dr. Kahoutek for a summer engineering class - the last semester before I found out I had narcolepsy... when I told him, he laughed and said "I wondered. You slept EVERY single day in my class" - something I denied vigorously, but he was probably right. He told me he used to watch me, wondering when gravity would win and I would fall out of the chair. 

Terry was one of those teachers who made learning not only fun but a priviledge. He always seemed to have time, he had that wonderful laugh, and he told the BEST stories ever, I was very fortunate to have him for a teacher when I was a young not-quite-so-sure I wanted to be (or could be) engineer. I am so very sorry for your loss, and grateful that I had the opportunity to know him for at least a short while.

DR.KOHUTEK WAS INFLUENTIAL AND MADE ME WORK HARDER THAN ANY OTHER PROFESSOR AND I RESPECTED HIM FOR THAT. HE WILL ALWAYS BE RESPECTED. I WILL MISS HIM.

Terrye, I am so incredibly sad to hear the news about Terry. I'm sure you know just how much he meant to me. I have so many fond memories of the two of you that go back to our days in elementary school. Those memories are much comfort and will be with me forever. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

So very sorry to hear about Terry.  We became good friends while working at Ferguson Lab together back in the early 80's.  The two of us were the "token Aggies."  We were banished to the ground floor office at the back of the building, a place where no one else would ever want to work.  We were definitely outnumbered by the 'sips, but I think they actually liked us - even wanted to be more like us, because we're Aggies!  And as I recall, we usually won the spades games at lunch too.  So many fond memories.

Terrye, know that Gail and I will keep all of you in our prayers.

I enjoyed my time working as a secretary in the TAMU CE Dept because of people like Dr. Kohutek. Such a gentleman. I will miss him.

Dear Terrye,
You have no idea how often you and Terry have crossed my mind over the past 40+ years.  I  think of our high school days with great fondness and still value our friendship. Please know that I am with you in spirit.....and wish God's blessings on you.
Your friend,

I am a fellow founding Father of the Texas Mu Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at
Texas A&M. I remember Terry from those early days. I offer my sincere condolences to his
wife and family.
Dusty Davis '74

Terry was one of my most inspiring professors. His love for teaching us was so evident and we supported him.  He will be greatly missed, but his spirit and zest for engineering lives in each of his former students.

I offer my family's condolences to the family of Dr. Kohutek.  He was truly a caring individual that has made a lasting impact on Texas A&M University and the many fortunate students of the civil engineering department who were blessed to have been influenced by his teaching and education impact on all our lives.  The University was blessed a great man and are fortunate to have him looking down upon us forever more...

Dr. Kohutek personally visited me in the hospital after a motor vehicle accident my sophomore year forced me into withdrawing from TAMU for the semester. He saw to my re-admittance went smoothly the next semester and kept up with me to make sure my classes were not interfering with my physical recovery. Later became my undergrad advisor, professor, personal mentor, and friend.

I had the honor of taking several of Terry's courses, as well as he served on my graduate committee. His contribution to Aggie education was outstanding. I was thrilled to know him, and I'm glad my daughters and wife had an opportunity to meet Terry.  My sincere condolences to Terrye.

Dr. Kohutek was a dedicated educator and a good man. I learned as much in his Structures class as in any class I ever took at A&M. Anyone that took him will remember bending those paper clips to learn influence lines; a little unusual, but quite effective! Our prayers are with his family as he goes to his blessed reward. -Jason H. Richards, P.E. '02

I met Dr. Kohutek a few years ago during an Aggie Saturday prior to my son (Matt) entering TAMU Civil Engineering program. He immediately impressed me by his down to earth personally which made me and my son feel welcome. Professors of his caliber are very hard to come by and will me a great lost to the faculty and students of the Civil Engineering Department.

Terrye, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We'll treasure the memories from the Lake LBJ days when we would come by boat to your dock for those quick family visits. May your memories bring you peace.

As an "extended" family member, I was glad I got to know TD and Terry through Terry's sister Shirley.  May you rest in peace.

Dr. Kohutek was the one prof he will never let you down. He was always there for you, he was the one to encourage me to do Graduate School and pursue my PE. I will always remember as an advisor, friend and family.

Thank you for giving us an amazing class and amazing summer.
God Bless You

Terry was one of the people who made my time at the Ferguson Lab in Austin special. I can't think of Terry without remebering all the spades games at lunch at the lab and the Friday happy hours spent with Mr and Mrs Terrye and the rest of the crew. He always made me smile and helped me and gave me good advice whenever I needed it. I will miss him and remember him fondly as long as I live.

I was quite shocked to find out about Dr. K's sudden death.  I never had him as a professor at A&M, but he served as our adviser for Theta Tau.  He was wonderful to us for so many years.  One day I found a dog outside of the Civil Building, and took her inside with me.  During class I asked them to watch her at the front desk, and then took her home after classes until I could find her a new family.  Well, she found Dr. K's chair quite comfortable while I was in class, and he found her to be pretty cute. The next day he called me and asked me if they could have her.  They names her Elle, and he would update me from time to time on how she was doing.  This just goes to show Dr. K's big heart and kind nature. It'll be sad to not be able to drop in and catch up next time I'm in town.  God bless his soul!

What a great guy with a great laugh.... All that knew him will miss him...Terrye we are thinking of you in this time of sorrow... Larry English '74

I pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity in the Spring of 1973.  My association with Terry and Sig Eps have been a high water mark in my life.  Terry was everything you would want in an older brother, advisor and mentor.  Always the perfect gentleman.  Thanks for all of your contributions to Sig Ep Terry.  You will be missed.

I still remember walking into Terry's class in my first semester of graduate school at TAMU.  What a fantastic experience.  Since my goal was to become an engineering professor, I quickly found myself making observations and jotting down notes about HOW Terry taught so effectively.  Over the next 3 years Terry became a good friend, a mentor, and an inspiration for my own teaching career.  Terry had an amazing impact on an entire generation of engineering students, and I pray he's checking reinforcement ratios and running design checks for some of those mansions in heaven.  Terry --- thanks for making a difference in the lives of individual students, one day at a time.  You set a powerful example to follow.

Dr. Kohutek was my advisor for four years, he was always happy to help and always seemed like he cared about making sure his students were squared away when it came to being an advisor. He also had a love for his job that few other professors exuded quite like he did. Every time I would come into his office he would be trying to find different methods to solve steel problems, I can't say I know anyone else that does that. He was a great man and the civil engineering building won't be the same without him in the hallways.

Terry was my mentor and "Big Brother" during my pledge period into the Signa Phi Epsilon chapter at Texas A&M fall of 1972.  Many fond memories of those college days and the role Terry played.  Rest in peace dear brother...

Terrye -  My condolences to you and your family.  Terry was always a pleasure to be around.  His infectious laugh and welcoming attitude will always be apart of my memory.  A&M will not be the same without him.

Bob W. Bass (Richmond, Texas)  '72

Praying for you as you go through this sad time. I work in the City Bank Mortgage Corporate office in Lubbock.

Sorry to here about Terry. He was so welcoming to me when I started grad school at UT. Frances and I enjoyed our time with Terry and Terrye. I especially remember a wonderful evening in our backyard in the fall when all the grad students where around after BBQ and beer. Terry and Terrye made that evening special for us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Terrye, I don't need to tell you I'll miss him very much. He was a great guy and a cherished friend. May God bless Terry and keep him in his loving care, and may God bless you and comfort you at this very difficult time.

It is such a shame that Dr. Kohutek will not be able to touch the lifes of civil engineering students in the future.  Everyone I have talked to were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the loss.

Terrye, I was so sorry to hear about Terry. My thoughts and prayers are with you , Ann-Lynn Shackelford Perkins

So sorry to hear about our friend - we shared trips to Dallas together as undergrads.  His laugh - still remember it after all these years.  He was a great friend and educator and will be greatly missed by all.

Another wonderful man, who will be missed, has left us for greater places.  He was as much a brother to me as my own brother Terry. The world is a better place for all of the brightness Terry brought to it and all of the lives he touched.

Terry was was one of my best friends in undergrad and grad school at A&M, and ever since.  We had good times and good stories from those days.  He has since meant so much to his students, leaving quite a legacy of his teaching.

Thanks for Terry..

It is hard to sum up so many years; over 40 years starting in college. Those years were so packed with memories. They are constantly running through my head since I heard. 

Terrye, you were such a big part of those memories too. You and Terry were an extremely important part of my life. I know I cannot even begin to feel your loss. All my best.

So sorry to hear the sad news about Terry.  We have many fond memories of our time spent at UT with "Terry and Mrs. Terrye".  Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these most difficult days.

OBITUARY

Terry Lee Kohutek

November 30, 1951 – August 4, 2012

Memorial Funeral Chapel—College Station

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