My Dad's obit ... some things are hard to do and this was one of them.

[Botany]

Last edited Sun Feb 3, 2019, 08:54 AM - Edit history (1)

John Kessel

John Howard Kessel was born 10/13/1928 in Dayton, OH to Arthur V Kessel and Helen (Hopkins) Kessel.

He is proceeded in death by his sister and brother in law The Rev. John and Jean Carson of Hillsboro, OH.
He is survived by his wife Margaret Sarah (Wagner) Kessel, his sons Robert A Kessel (spouse Mona) and Thomas J Kessel, his grandchildren Sarah Kessel, Ellen Kessel, and Jonathan Kessel (spouse Bria) and his great granddaughter Adalynn Rae Kessel.


Education:
Col. S. White High School Dayton OH, Purdue University, The Ohio State University B.A. 1950, and Columbia University PhD 1958

Service:
Officer in the United States Navy. During the Korean War he served aboard and saw action on the USS Carmick (destroyer minesweeper).

Colleges & Universities where he taught:
Mt. Holyoke College, Amherst College, The University of Washington, Allegheny College, and The Ohio State University.

Publications:
John Kessel authored and or co-authored numerous books, publications, and studies.

Guest Professor @
University of California San Diego, The University of Washington, and American University.

Scholar @
Brookings Institute, A.E.I., and the R.N.C.

Memberships:
Midwest Political Science Association (Past President), American Political Science Association, and the American Journal of Political Science (Past Editor)

Personal Interests:
Life long love of learning, reading, keeping in touch w/former students and colleagues, playing tennis, his home garden, travel, and his family.

John Howard Kessel peacefully passed on 1-28-19, in his own bedroom, with his best friend, and the love of his life his wife Margaret @ his side. … Winner.

Services will be held 2/16/19 at 11:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 30 W. Woodruff Ave (OSU Campus) Columbus, OH 43210 614 294-3749

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in the name of John Kessel to the OSU “College Arts and Sciences Scholarship Fund” (fund # 312966), at The Ohio State University Foundation, 1480 W Lane Ave, Columbus OH 43221, online at www.osu.edu/giving, or call 614-292-2141.

[applegrove]

1. What a great life.

[2naSalit]

2. Oh Dear!

I'm so sorry! HE is your dad? I have read some of his writings, I believe.

My sincere condolences.

[Botany]

5. I had to cheat in the obit

Publications:
John Kessel authored and or co-authored numerous books, publications, and studies.

BTW through my dad years ago I met and or knew about many wonderful and nice
men and women (Margaret Chase Smith) who were republicans.

BTW Going through his papers I found pictures of President Obama from 2008 and 2012
thanking him for his support.

[2naSalit]

20. Wow.

That's cool to find. I remember Margaret Chase Smith, I met her when I was pretty young, when we lived in Maine. There were political figures in my family on both sides it seems. One of my cousins was on the Maine Superior Court and I met them both at a family/political thing. One of my parents was a republican and the other a Democrat.

Interesting how your mention of Margaret Chase Smith brought out that memory.

I hope your find comfort in discovering all kinds of wonderful things about your dad. I'm bracing for the day when my mom goes, not long we understand... I am with you and getting in line for the next event where I will be going through nearly a century of my mom's memories.

[Botany]

27. 2 things

Last edited Sun Feb 3, 2019, 08:53 AM - Edit history (1)

I just found out today that one student was having a hard time giving his or her's
PhD defense and was at wit's end and my dad told the person to go home and take a
break and in a few weeks they would be happy to see him/her again.

In PA years ago in a very middle class neighborhood our next door neighbor was the
County DA and his brother was Ray Shafer, Governor of the state. You never met a
better, nicer, and classier guy and he was a republican too.

It was different time but he loved to play ball w/kids in the neighborhood .... I still
remember a young staffer trying to get him to leave and do something and Gov. Ray
said, "damn it I'm in a meeting here. Now go away."

[2naSalit]

29. THat was a different time...

when people of either party could get along with each other. My parents argued politics but it was never the kind of argument we see these days.

I recall a few individuals who were in high places but didn't lose their humanness.

[mahina]

30. Thank you for sharing some of his story with us Botany,

And the story of others. I will hold hope for Republicans.

Peace to your Dad and family, and you most of all.

[sharedvalues]

35. RIP. The Republican Party was different back then

The GOP has gone off the rails over the last three decades as they have become an alliance of plutocrats and racists.

There were reasonable Republicans in 1970.

My condolences; I hope you have amazing memories.

[Botany]

38. Thank you

hard time sleeping right now

Chuck Percy ... and somebody my dad knew.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_H._Percy

[lunatica]

3. It's excellent.

[onecaliberal]

4. What a wonderful life.

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. My deepest condolences on your loss.

[MontanaMama]

7. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

I read here on DU that your dad was having a tough go and I’m very sorry to hear he has passed. These have been hard days for you, I’m sure.

I wrote my parent’s obits too. It’s very difficult to sum up a life in words.

☮️

[Botany]

14. "It's very difficult ..."

Yup. It has taken me 6 days to write that but I'm lucky in that one of my
dad's colleagues has been kind enough to edit it (that is a rough draft .... I
needed a break) and clean up my mistakes.

[irisblue]

8. I am so sorry for your loss

🕯️

[blue neen]

9. Allegheny College.

A very good school here in western PA.

I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a remarkable man.

[TomSlick]

10. A life well lived.

I pray for peace for the family.

[DesertRat]

11. I'm so sorry for your loss

A wonderful tribute to an extraordinary life.

[area51]

12. I'm very sorry for your loss. n/t

[dalton99a]

13. My condolences to you and your family.

[sheshe2]

15. I am so sorry for your loss, Botany.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. I am so sorry to read your sad news, my dear Botany...

He had a good life, well lived and well loved.

[Hekate]

17. I'm so sorry for your loss, but he seems to have had a wonderful life and died full of years..

May his name be remembered as a blessing.

[Dem2theMax]

18. In reading this, it sure does seem that he had a wonderful and full life.

And most importantly, that he had a lot of family who loved him.

I lost my dad six years ago, and my mom, five months before my dad. And it was the reverse of what you wrote. My dad was holding my mom's hand when she passed.
It was a blessing for him to be able to be there with her, as I hope it was for your mom to be with your dad.

Sending you sympathy and condolences, for you and your family.

[fierywoman]

21. Beautiful. My heart goes to you for your loss.

[Botany]

23. No loss. Hurt yes but no loss

90 dying in your own bedroom w/your best friend holding your hand ... winner.

[fierywoman]

24. Even more beautiful.

[pnwmom]

22. I am so very sorry for your loss, Botany. He had a life well lived.

But nothing can prepare you for the loss of a beloved parent.

[BadGimp]

25. Thank you for sharing!!

[spooky3]

26. My condolences. You must have loved him so much. Nt

[renate]

28. What a remarkable life

And more importantly, what a good man he must have been to have been so loved.

I’m truly sorry for your loss.

[JudyM]

31. Wishing you peace, Botany. It's clear you will always be so proud of him, and rightly so.

[brer cat]

32. My condolences, Botany.

It sounds like he had a life well-lived. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[smirkymonkey]

33. My condolences to you and your family.

It sounds like your father lived a full and remarkable life, although I know it doesn't make it any easier for you.

RIP Mr. Kessel.

[Hortensis]

34. Hard, perhaps, but a fine obit of a fine life.

Clearly a winner, as you say, and your mother. I'm glad she has her children to help her through this.

[malaise]

36. What a great life

Deepest sympathy to you and yours.

[dem4decades]

37. Condolences and thank you for sharing

[GeoWilliam750]

39. My sympathy to you

He seems to have lived and loved fully, made the world better by being in it, and it will be a lesser place without him.

Especially deepest sympathy to your mother.

[defacto7]

40. ...

[grantcart]

41. It's hard to do because there is so much to cover.

He had a rich life in both breadth and width and a loving famil
To share it with.

Hope your mother and family experience joy remembering a rich life even as you share a common grief.

My father who was born 10 years before yours died 44 years ago and I envy the years you shared with your dad and offer best wishes during this difficult time.

[Lithos]

42. Dear Sir

I did this for my own dad.

Hardest thing I have ever done.

He had spared me doing my mother. I had no idea how much this was a mercy he had given me.

Many Hugs and condolences and consolations...

L-

[Duppers]

43. My condolences.

You must be proud of your father. May he rest in peace.



I wrote my mother's obit just a month ago. She was born 3 yrs before your dad, in 1925.
I did something a bit unusual in her long obit; I thanked the roughly dozen of special friends and neighbors who had helped her so much during her last few yrs. We were truly grateful for their kindness and assistance.

[DeminPennswoods]

44. Condolences on your loss

Wrote my dad's obit. Though it was a sad time, it made me happy to be able tell everyone about his life.

[UpInArms]

45. I am sorry for your loss, Botany

Losing one’s parents is hard ... because they anchor you in so many ways ...

May your memories be bright and help guide you through the days and years ...

Warmly,

uia

[handmade34]

46. for you, Botany...

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains. Gibran

when someone mourns sometimes we struggle with what to say... "I am sorry for your loss"... and I truly am sorry for your loss

a good soul gone from the world, your father did well and that is good...

I stood in line at the service yesterday for my step-son (oddly enough between his father and 1st mother- she called me his 2nd mother) and everyone says "sorry for your loss" when I have the presence of mind I will write of the wonderous day but for now say that when we lose such good people, it is a loss for the world... but the seed remains and we must care for it and make sure it grows

Botany, I am sorry for your loss and mine and the world's