Robert John "Bob" Kessler

Robert John (Bob) Kessler passed away at home on December 5, 2018 after a long battle
with cancer.
Born in Holland Patent, New York on July 24, 1943, Bob was born into a proud farming
family and continued that love of farming and agriculture throughout his entire life. It
was that love of agriculture that led him to earn degrees from The State University of
New York, Cornell University, and the University of Maryland and fueled his lifelong
involvement as a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Zeta Chapter. That same
passion then brought him to Pennsylvania where he worked as an Extension Agent with
The Pennsylvania State University for more than 40 years.
Bob began his career as the Franklin County Dairy Agent in 1969 and in 1972 he
became one of the first full-time 4-H agents in Pennsylvania. Over his years as an
Extension Agent, Bob helped to establish the Pennsylvania Association of Extension
4-H Agents and served as its first president. He was also the first PAE4-HA member to
be elected as a national officer and was recognized over the years with the
Distinguished Service Award and Meritorious Service Award. Bob helped to implement
the Master Gardener Program in Franklin County, the Ag Learning Center, the 4-H
Seeing Eye Program and his greatest joy, the Franklin County 4-H Therapeutic Riding
Center, just to name a few. In October 2017, Bob’s life’s work as an Extension Agent
culminated with his induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in Chevy Chase, MD.
Bob also proudly served his community as a member, Sunday school teacher, and
Superintendent at St. Paul United Methodist Church; as a member of the
Chambersburg Kiwanis Club, a Key Club Liaison for students, and as an
Adopt-a-Highway Chairperson. He also served on both the Penn State Mont Alto
Campus Advisory Board and Franklin County Fair Board for many years.
Bob and his wife Carol were married for 53 years and had five beautiful children. They
met while both were attending State University of New York in Delhi, NY and she’s been
by his side ever since. Bob and Carol built a wonderful life together over the past 49
years in Chambersburg where they dedicated their lives to service to others and raised
their family. Always giving his time selflessly and putting others first, Bob’s dedication to
youth and education were unparalleled and defined everything he did throughout his
life.
He is survived by his wife Carol (Seaman) Kessler; daughter Collene Kessler and her
fiancé Richard Shover of Winter Springs, FL; daughter Denise Fox and her husband
Matthew of Fort Leavenworth, KS; son Travis Kessler and his wife Melanie of
Shippensburg, PA; and son Devin Kessler and his wife Danielle of Chambersburg, PA.
Bob is also survived by his siblings Sandra Maikranz and her husband Paul of Holland
Patent, NY, David Kessler and his wife Mary of Owings Mills, MD and Linda Boucheron
and her husband Steve of Rome, NY, and by his grandchildren Allison Hope and
her husband Brandon, Katelynn Miller, Justin and Delaney Rowland, Tyler and Braedon
Fox, Kai Kessler, and Carter and Spencer Kessler. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Helen (Stanulevich) Kessler of Rome, NY and his son, Robert (BJ) Kessler, Jr.
A memorial service and visitation will be held at 12 PM on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Rd. Chambersburg, PA. Chaplain Ed Rabenstein will officiate. The family will receive friends from 10 AM – 12 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center at www.giveto.psu.edu/FCTRC
Condolences and memories may be shared on his Book of Memories page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.