Gerard Kuchler, a prominent retired Waukesha attorney, named as victim in fatal crash
WAUKESHA - Authorities have identified the 76-year-old victim of a fatal traffic crash as one of the city's most prominent attorneys.
Gerard F. Kuchler, of the Waukesha-based law firm Kuchler & Cotton, died from injuries received in a two-vehicle crash around 10 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Les Paul Parkway and St. Paul Avenue (Genesee Road) on a busy stretch of the new Waukesha West Bypass route, according to authorities.
Waukesha police, in an updated statement Wednesday publicly naming the victim, also provided additional information about the accident itself. Preliminary indications suggested that Kuchler, who was the sole occupant of his vehicle, did not stop at a red light. The investigation is continuing, however, police added, as authorities process information from multiple agencies.
"Our hearts go out to not just the Kuchler family but to all those involved in this tragic incident," Waukesha Police Capt. Dan Baumann said in the news release.
In a statement issued through police, the Kuchler family called Gerard Kuchler "a well-respected and brilliant attorney" who was known for his 50 years in the profession. He also "had a wonderful sense of humor," the family said.
Prior to his retirement, Kuchler was a central part of the firm he started, Kuchler Law Offices, which in 2007 became Kuchler & Cotton SC, with offices on Racine Avenue in Waukesha, according to Lawyers.com. The firm still includes his former wife, attorney Donna Kuchler, and stepson, attorney Tony Cotton, themselves prominent attorneys.
Cotton said Kuchler played an important role in the firm, which didn't end with his retirement, and in his family, including his 13 grandchildren.
"Gerry was the fiercest advocate I’ve ever known," Cotton said in an email statement Wednesday afternoon. "He touched thousands of lives and transformed criminal defense in Waukesha County. Gerry’s legacy continues to live on through the countless lawyers he inspired and encouraged. There wasn’t a mean bone in his body. He was a devoted father and grandfather who had a lasting impact on his children."
Gerard Kuchler is also survived by his children, Ben, Dan, and Margaret with his former wife Mary Walsch; and stepchildren, Andrew Cotton and Natalie Sauvain with Donna Kuchler.
Contact Jim Riccioli at (262) 446-6635 or james.riccioli@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jariccioli.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha attorney Gerard Kuchler named as victim in fatal crash
