Helen Elizabeth Kessler

Kessler, Helen Elizabeth (Shaw) RED ROCK, N.Y. Helen Elizabeth Shaw Kessler, 97, of Red Rock, passed away on December 20, 2007 after a short stay at Barnwell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Helen was born on March 2, 1910, in Madison Wis., the second daughter of the late Fern S. Shaw and the late Carrie (Selden) Shaw. She was preceded in death by her sister, Iona (Shaw) Bloodsworth, her brother George Armor Shaw Sr. and her beloved husband, Hermann Kessler, 1993, who had been the art director of Field and Stream magazine for 30 years. Helen graduated high school in Sheboygan, Wis., where she was awarded the Evangeline Kohler award in Art upon graduation. Helen began tying flies very early, while in high school. By the age of 20, she established a fly-tying business in Sheboygan. She demonstrated fly-tying at the International Outdoor Shows in Chicago, Ill., 1939-1941. She was the only woman member of an all men's fly casting group in Chicago, "The Grand O'Dawn Club." Helen then decided to serve in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), rising to the rank of 2nd lieutenant. When the WAACs ended, she chose not to re-enlist in the regular army. She returned home to Sheboygan and continued her fly-tying. She married her husband, Hermann Kessler on September 10, 1953 and moved with him to New York City. She was the first woman to be given a luncheon by the prestigious men's club "The Angler's Club of New York" in 1953. Helen was one of the first women to author on the topic of fly tying. Helen did the writing and while she tied the flies her husband, Hermann illustrated the process through still photography. He told her, "If you can show me and have me understand how to tie a fly, you will be able to show others." This great collaboration produced three books "Fly-Tying" in 1963, "Flies for Fish and Fisherman" in 1989 and, later, "Fly-Tying: Materials, Tools and Techniques." These books are thought by many to be the bibles of fly-tying. Through the years, she contributed to many articles and books by other authors and many of her flies were portrayed in numerous publications. In 1979, she and Hermann moved to their little house in Red Rock in Columbia County. Helen was a life member of "The Museum of American Fly Fishing" in Manchester, Vt., which her husband, Hermann was instrumental in establishing. She was also a life member of "The International Women Fly Fishers" and an honorary member of the "National Fishing Lure Collector's Club." A memorial service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Museum of American Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vt. or the Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, Mass. Arrangements have been entrusted to the French Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham, N.Y. To send Condolences visit www.frenchblasl.com