In Memory of Kevin Koehnke

On July 31, 2026, a friend of mine, who had previously appeared on my podcast, sadly passed away. Kevin Kenneth Koehnke, a dedicated trucker who spent a lifetime on the road, departed this world after finishing his last delivery. He had just completed a run in San Jose, California, when he experienced a health crisis. An ambulance was called to his customer’s driveway, but he didn’t make it to the hospital. Kevin was only 64 years old.

‘Awww, when I got to the yard, they had a hot load going down to Pennsylvania and they asked me to go, so I took it. Sorry, Gordo.’

A Man of Many Hats

I first connected with Kevin through social media, just like so many of my acquaintances today. A few years back, he started posting selfies on Facebook, which somehow morphed into memes circulating online. People often added their own commentary to his photos, imagining conversations with someone like him—especially considering the unique trucker caps he wore.

Though Kevin’s hats sometimes came across as a bit brash, he was actually a warm and friendly person. He genuinely enjoyed chatting with others and had friends across the country. His selfies carried an innocent charm that resonated more deeply than the online persona that developed around him. Of course, the memes that sprung up were often in line with the messages on his hats, and once they hit Twitter, they really struck a chord.

A Chat with a ‘Bub’

I became friends with a social media user known as “Big Sib,” who first introduced me to Kevin’s photos. As a trucker too, I could relate to the lifestyle Kevin led—spending long hours on the road, filled with the sounds of AM radio, which strangely offered a sense of normalcy. Sib had a knack for capturing the essence of working-class humor in his commentary alongside Kevin’s pictures, especially when Kevin would snap a shot of himself with a well-deserved meal.

Eventually, I found Kevin’s contact information through a business card he shared on Facebook. I reached out, and he kindly agreed to come on my podcast, which you can listen to on most platforms.

Kevin called me from the Iowa 80 Truck Stop, sharing stories about his life—from his childhood on his parents’ cabbage farm in Wisconsin to his various adventures on the road, including encounters with police and his relationships with fellow truckers. It’s a pretty entertaining episode and one of my more popular ones, where Kevin talks quite a bit about the food at truck stops and the freight he hauled.

‘Just Like His Dad’

When I received the news of Kevin’s passing, I connected with his family through the funeral home assisting them. I spoke with his mother, Pat, who, at 86, was still sharp and easy to talk to. She mentioned she had even listened to the podcast and enjoyed it.

“Kevin had quite a way with stories,” she chuckled. “He definitely wasn’t born in the cab of his father’s dump truck. I spent hours in labor trying to bring him into the world.”

Pat recalled that Kevin was often away from home due to his job. Tragically, he couldn’t be there when his father passed and was delayed in getting home by a day and a half.

“He was just like his dad—always loved being on the road. Before we had the farm, his father worked all day in a dump truck and then drove an 18-wheeler at night,” she explained. “He often existed on just a couple of hours of sleep.”

According to Pat, Kevin worked for around ten different companies throughout his career, and his experiences confirmed many stories he relayed on the show. He epitomized the “runner” in trucking, someone who essentially lives in the truck and hardly ever returns home. In our 2023 conversation, he told me how he had worked for 17 years straight, largely taking only the mandated 34-hour resets required by regulations. No weekends off, no family time—just miles and miles on the road he adored.

The issue with runners is that their dependability makes them invaluable to companies, yet they are often taken for granted and rewarded little for their hard work. Kevin recounted a time he requested a mere four days off to visit family, only to be told he could take the time—but when he actually needed to leave, they wanted him to keep driving. This was a man who had put over 1.3 million miles on a single truck for that employer, yet they treated him like he could just be replaced. It raises serious questions about an industry claiming to face a shortage of drivers since the 1980s—not just in terms of the drivers themselves but what they sacrifice to do the job.

No Days Off

As we approached the Mid-America Trucking Show in March 2024, I invited Kevin to join us and even secured him a media pass for access to provided lunches, which I knew he would love. I had shared this news, and there was quite the buzz about “Uncle Kevin” or “the Big Dog” coming to MATS. I was genuinely excited to meet him in person for the first time.

However, when the event rolled around, Kevin was nowhere to be found. It took some time to reach him by phone.

“Awww, when I got to the yard, they had a hot load going to Pennsylvania and they asked me to take it, so I did. Sorry, Gordo,” he explained.

He almost sounded sheepish, as if he knew he had disappointed me.

“But they knew you were coming!” I protested. “What gives?”

“You know how it goes. Nobody wants to do the work, and I couldn’t say no.”

Kevin’s words reflected a recurring sentiment that many feel in the industry. Whether his excuse was truthful or not, it’s clear this pattern of being a runner was ingrained in his lifestyle. At 61, he had never been married, had no children, and rarely saw his own family.

Pat wasn’t surprised by the MATS situation, either.

“I haven’t seen Kevin in 15 years. He doesn’t come home,” she revealed.

A Heavy Load

During our podcast chat, Kevin shared a story about injuring one of his big toes but didn’t take it seriously until it became severe enough to require surgery for possible gangrene in Atlanta, far from home. He took a couple of months off to recover at a friend’s house in Michigan, which may have been one of the rare vacations he ever got.

Kevin celebrated his 64th birthday on June 13. Just four days later, he was hospitalized with pneumonia and fluid in his lungs. The grueling lifestyle he had been leading clearly took a toll on his health. He returned to work once he recovered, even bringing along small oxygen tanks to help him breathe. Pat is unsure if he misled his employers about his fitness to return or if they simply overlooked critical assessments when allowing him back on duty. When I reached out to the company for clarification, their safety representative indicated they couldn’t comment on personal matters.

A man died while working for them, and I doubt they would shrug off the situation if an authority like OSHA got involved.

It seems to me that Kevin Koehnke had a deeper pain inside him—one he either ignored or tried to escape on the road. Many seasoned truckers know such individuals, and to be honest, I’ve walked that path myself at times. The grueling hours away from home can be a way to not confront one’s struggles, but it’s not a healthy way to handle mental well-being. Employers take advantage of this, almost like enablers in a cycle of overperformance coupled with neglect.

The trucking industry often touts its commitment to health and safety, attempting to manage operating hours responsibly. Yet, there’s a troubling willingness to exploit workers like Kevin, never truly questioning why such kind-hearted individuals keep pushing themselves at the cost of their health or relationships with family. Maybe it’s time we re-evaluated our approach to those who give so much to the road.

Save me a seat at that truck stop in the sky, Kevin. I’ll make my way up there one day too, and I know you’ll be waiting for a hug.

Pat Koehnke mentioned they haven’t received any of Kevin’s belongings back yet, like his phone or wallet. If anyone has information on Kevin’s items, please feel free to contact me, and I will make sure they reach his family.

He was cremated in California, which made it simpler for his remains to be shipped home, eliminating the need for assistance from organizations that deal with repatriating loved ones who die on the road without company support. It says a lot about some players in this industry that such organizations even exist.

For those interested, Kevin’s official obituary can be found through his family. It includes ways to leave tributes or donate a memorial tree in his name.

And take a moment—reach out to someone you haven’t spoken with in a while. You never know what it means to them or what they might be facing.