Leo Kohlfeld was the beer man.

Kohlfeld, 82, the founder of Kohlfeld Distributing in Jackson, died Tuesday after battling cancer.

He began his career at age 19 driving a beer truck for a William Schott's Stag distributorship and worked his way up to manager in the mid 1950s. He purchased the business in 1968 and it has continued to grow ever since, said Mitch Miller, account manager at Kohlfeld Distributing. Miller worked with Kohlfeld for 38 years.

"He had an endless, undying work ethic. Even at age 82, battling cancer, he continued to work for us. He'd come into the warehouse every day he could," said Miller.

Kohlfeld built the popularity of the Stag beer brand in Southeast Missouri, Miller said.

"His sons and I have kept that brand alive all these years," Miller said. "Now we have more than 180 beers and close to 100 nonalcoholic products."

The beer business has changed since the 1940s when Kohlfeld first started with just the Stag brand.

"Anymore people are using beers like they used to use wine to go with different foods and times of the year," Miller said.

Despite his success, Kohlfeld was always true to his roots, said Miller.

"He came from a farming community in Apple Creek and he had to make his own way," Miller said. "He never forgot where he came from and he was always a friend to the small man and the small business, even though he worked with large business customers like Walmart and Schnucks."

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce CEO John Mehner called Kohlfeld an inspiration to other small family business owners.

"He was the patriarch of one of the most phenomenal families in this area," said Mehner. "His business is tremendous and what they do for the community is tremendous."

In addition to being active in the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kohlfeld family under Leo's leadership has supported a number of religious and education causes including St. Vincent's Parish, Southeast Missouri State University, Elks, as well as both public and parochial education.

Today, Kohlfeld's sons, Mike and Mark, run the family business and his grandson Courtland joined the company about four years ago.

"You see his legacy in the way his sons are and in the way their business has always operated," Mehner said.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

4691 E. Jackson Blvd, Jackson, Mo.