Donald Kohlstedt

1909 - 1971

Donald Kohlstedt was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 16, 1909. He graduated in 1929 from the University of Illinois where he earned a B.A. and M.A. degrees in Library Science. In 1953 he obtained his L.S.D. from Dakota Wesleyan University. He because Director of the Grand Rapids Public Library in 1941. He came to Grand Rapids from Kansas City, Kansas where he was director of the library from 1935 to 1941. He was a member of the Grand Rapids Historical Society and the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. The Grand Rapids Furniture Designers Association made him an Honorary Life Member in recognition of this interest in and contribution to furniture design. He was instrumental in setting up the Furniture Designers’ Room at the Grand Rapids Public Library with its’ outstanding collection of furniture related books. Mr. Kohlstedt died July 23, 1971.