Kurt "Tom" Thomas Mehler

Obituary for Kurt Thomas “Tom” Mehler

September 3, 1944 – September 5, 2025

Kurt Thomas (Tom) Mehler passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Florida, just two days after his 81st birthday. Tom was born on September 3, 1944, in Halberstadt, Germany, to Kurt Mehler and Marianna Brase.

Tom grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and in the 1960s, moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he met Diane Covell while managing a local bar. The two married in 1972 and, with their dogs in an old Mazda pickup truck, set off to North Idaho to build a life together. They settled in a 1919 farmhouse on 80 acres near Lake Pend Oreille, outside of Sandpoint, Idaho, where they raised a family—and a menagerie of animals, including horses, pigs, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, and geese.

Tom quickly fell in love with the natural beauty of North Idaho. He became a real estate broker and would go on to serve the Sandpoint area for over 40 years, earning a reputation as a respected expert in waterfront properties.

A passionate fisherman, Tom devoted much of his life to Lake Pend Oreille. He spent countless hours pursuing world-class rainbow trout (Kamloops) and was a dedicated advocate for the lake’s health and sustainability. As a longtime member of the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club, he worked tirelessly to improve the fishery for future generations. In the early 1980s, he also became a charter captain, sharing his love of fishing with guests for the next two decades. 

Tom also flexed his entrepreneurial skills as owner and founder of "Mehler Tackle", a fishing tackle manufacture company focused on salmon and trout lures.  Tom spent countless hours developing well known fishing tackle such as Tru-Troll speed indicator, "Flashy" flasher, "Woody" trolling plug, and "Hootchie" streamer fly.  Many of these lures would catch 25# plus rainbows in the years to come.

Tom supported his community in many other ways as well--leading the Sandpoint Downtown Business Association, championing local small businesses, and helping build the town’s unique spirit. Later in life, he became a familiar face at the local Elks Golf Course, either swinging clubs or serving as a friendly course marshal. He was also an avid skier and enjoyed taking his family to Schweitzer Mountain for snow-filled adventures.

After 48 years in Sandpoint, Tom moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2020 to be closer to his son Colt and his family. Even there, he continued to embrace life outdoors, learning the art of saltwater fishing and sharing those moments with his grandson.

Tom is survived by his siblings Alex, Andrea, Stephanie, and Mia; his children Colt and Mandy; and his grandchildren Logan and Harlow.

In lieu of flowers or donations, the family asks that you honor Tom’s legacy by sharing a memory—and if you can, go catch a big one!