William Kessler

William
Kessler, M.D.
Nov. 5, 1918 - Nov. 16, 2010
Resident of Castro Valley
William "Bill" Kessler was the son of Morris and Mollee Kessler. Morris had been in the Russian Cavalry and one day he just keep on riding past the border, eventually, in the 1920's and '30's, establishing a candy store in the tough neighborhoods of Chicago' south side. Bill grew up there and worked in his father's store.
As a kid, Bill's interests and abilities were many and varied: he was an eagle scout, an ice-skater on Lake Michigan, and, at 5'5"tall, all-city basketball player.
He was a violinist, and he carried his deep love and understanding of classical music throughout his lifetime.
He graduated from University of Illinois Medical School, and completed his residency at Cook County Hospital.
After a fun stint in the army in Denver, he landed in Castro Valley, where he made his home for the rest of his life. His first office, as a family physician, was above Martinelli's chicken farm on East 14th St. He was a founding member of Eden Hospital, where, with the exception of his good friend Rod Palmer, he eventually delivered more babies than any other physician.
In February of 1950 Bill married the lovely Rowen Rebecca Kusnitt, daughter of Abraham and Lillian Kusnitt, at the Claremont Hotel, in Berkeley. They were rarely apart until her passing in October of 2006.
Bill loved world travel and he loved his job. He wistfully remembered while driving down Walnut Road to Eden Hospital, "how many times I drove this road in the middle of the night" to deliver a baby or help a patient.
My father was dedicated to our family, and particularly to our education. We will remain thankful throughout our lifetimes for his generosity and interest and attention. William Kessler is survived by his most wonderful grandchildren: Shay Lillian Levy, Sam Hudson Levy, and Ted Carson Kessler; and by his children: Tracy Allyn Maguire and Paul Roger Maguire, Marla Jan Levy and Adam David Levy, Corby Samms Kessler, M.D., and Arlen Stacy Kessler and Diana Louise Trichilo.