But it wasn’t until the mid-1980s that he began collecting Star Wars memorabilia. Then in 2000, he purchased an Imperial stormtrooper costume kit from eBay and joined the GGG, whose members helped him manufacture the costume. He says many members had parents who worked on the original Star Wars movie and learned how to mold masks, sew authentic costumes and make rifles, helmets and other movie props from scratch.
Since then, the GGG has earned notoriety due to a local TV broadcast featuring its galactic adventures.
The Golden Gate Garrison of the 501st Legion collected $21,018 last year for charity.
As a devoted group member, Dr. Katler has dressed as multiple characters in the Star Wars universe, mostly for charitable events and an occasional barbecue for GGG supporters at his home. He has transformed into Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Count Dooku, a former Jedi Master who was swayed to the Dark Side. Likewise, his collection is quite impressive. His most prized possession is a Darth Vader mask made from the original mold that was signed by Dave Prowse, who played the original Darth Vader.
Dr. Katler remembers the moment he got hooked. It was the mid-1980s, when he stood in line for nearly five hours to see a Star Wars show of artifacts set up by the movie’s creator, George Lucas.
Local kids often come by Dr. Katler’s office for a tour and to get their photo taken. This neighbor is holding a puppet of Salacious Crumb, featured with Jabba the Hutt in Episode 5.
“It was like a party; everyone was having fun,” he recalls. “Then George Lucas came marching down with two stormtroopers to take photos with kids in line. He wouldn’t let adults take photos of him. I have a photo of myself being arrested by two stormtroopers.”
When Lucas was named Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses parade in 2007, Dr. Katler was among the 200 stormtroopers who volunteered to march in costume during the parade.
“Lucas took 100 volunteers from the U.S. and another 100 from Europe,” he says, adding that he has met Lucas on several occasions. “We all stayed at a Los Angeles hotel for several days to learn how to march for six miles wearing a plastic outfit. It was like being on stage without having to remember your lines.”
Dr. Katler and the Golden Gate Garrison.
