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Todd Sessler Obituary
Todd Sessler, 52, beloved son of Ed and Pam Sessler, passed away at his home in Goleta, CA on August 24, 2014. Todd was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma March 26, 1962, attending grade school through high school in Sioux Falls, SD. Following one year at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, attendance at Stanford University took him to California in 1981. While at Stanford, Todd earned degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering. He began working at Santa Barbara Research Center (now Raytheon) in 1985. On September 16, 1989 Todd married Linda Gammons of Pacific Grove, CA.
Todd won several engineering awards, and became an Engineering Fellow in 2004. Todd was highly respected for his engineering expertise and held title to many patents developed for the company.
Loving the water, Todd was an avid lifetime swimmer. He enjoyed swimming competitively, including at the FINA Nationals. He also enjoyed surfing.
Todd is survived by his children, Sara and Matthew Sessler, Goleta; his parents Edward and Pamela Sessler, Sioux Falls, SD; his sister Michele Banowetz (Steve), Fort Collins, CO; his aunt Jill Stoefen-Fisher, Sioux Falls, SD; his former spouse, Linda Sessler, Goleta; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday September 5, 3:00 p.m. at Tucker's Grove in Santa Barbara, California.
A service of committal will be held in South Dakota at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Todd Sessler
Stacy Sutton
August 25, 2020
This still makes me feel so very sad. What a huge loss. Todd was in the dorm room next to mine my freshman year at Stanford. We had so many fun and hilarious times, with our respective roommates too. I’m just so sad his life was cut short. He is missed. I was at his wedding. Also, he helped me get through some hard classes, I was engineering also. He would help me with my problem sets.
Gretchen Keuser
September 19, 2014
My sincere sympathy to the Sessler family.
Relay memories
Dan Patterson
September 14, 2014
Linda Marquardt
September 7, 2014
Pam , Ed and family,
I am saddened to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and my prayers are for you to find peace. Cherish the memories!
September 6, 2014
Ed, Pam and Shelly, I still find it so hard to believe that Todd is gone. The greatest comfort is that he is at home with our Savior. Many memories: camping with your VW, our fold-out and the "tics", the Kawasakis, collecting pop bottles down at Lincoln, sneaking home for lunch hour and playing pool and many more. So many fun times on Mary Drive. Todd, Mark, Jay and Steve, the "4 Musketeers". those were the days. Remember, GOD can mend a broken heart, if you give HIM all the pieces. Our God is an awesome God....Jan
September 5, 2014
Rest in peace my friend. I didn't want to believe it...and continue to recall all the memories of a time past. My thoughts are with your parents and sister who were another family to me during the years in Sioux Falls. I pray they find peace and know that you are in a better place.
Mark
Lisa Hunter
September 5, 2014
To all the Sessler families. I swam with Todd many moons ago and went to high school with him. I am so glad I had a chance to talk with him at the last reunion. My brother Todd has recently passed and now there will be two more shining stars in the sky. So sorry for your loss.
Lisa Hunter
September 5, 2014
My deepest sympathies to all the Sessler families. I swam with Todd many moons ago and went to high school with him. I am so glad I had a chance to talk with him at our last reunion. My brother Todd also passed recently and now there will be two more shining stars in the sky.
Stacey Wilson
September 4, 2014
I will miss you Todd.
Robert Dugoni
September 3, 2014
Dear Sessler Family
I was one of Todd's roommates at Stanford. We transferred in together and lived in Florence Moore Hall, then became fraternity brothers. Skied at Tahoe together. After graduation I moved to Seattle and we fell out of touch. Learned of Todd's passing through a mutual friend and felt the need to write and let you know what a great friend he was to me in college. I am saddened at your loss. My prayers to your family. I'm sure he will be greatly missed.
Stacy Sutton
September 3, 2014
Dear Sessler Family,
I was so very saddened to hear of Todd's passing. He lived next door to me in the dorm my freshman year at Stanford. I have so many fond memories of him, together with his roommate Phil, and my roommate Judy, all having so much fun together. I am so sad we drifted apart over the years, because I wish we could have spent some more fun times at this age. He was very smart and helped me with my problem sets all the time! He will be missed by me and our friends from that year at Stanford very much.
Roya Mokhtari
September 3, 2014
Dear Sessler Family,
I have worked with Todd over the last 20 years. He will be missed. His smile was contagious. My thoughts are with you all.
Sincerely, Roya
Mary and Richard Gunn
September 3, 2014
Dear Mrs. Sessler and family,
So sorry to learn of this sadness for your family. We send prayers and thoughts your way.
September 3, 2014
Dear Sessler Family
I am so sorry to hear of Todd's passing. I worked with Todd for many years. His contributions will live on for many many years. My prayers are with your family.
Denise Bernardi
Kristi Peterson Gerry
September 3, 2014
Dear Ed,Pam and Michelle,
I am stunned and saddened by the news of Todd's death. I ache for all of you as you mourn this unimaginable loss. God gifted Todd with a brilliant and inquisitive mind, a kind and tender soul. I am blessed to have known him, to have called him Friend for a brief time in our young lives. I pray God blesses your remembering of him, comforts and strengthens you as you navigate this new world - one without Todd in it.
In grief with you all,
Gretchen Day-Bryant
September 3, 2014
My deepest sympathies to Sessler family. I grew up with Todd from kindergarten through high school, and he was simply the best and the brightest. My prayers go out for peace and understanding.
September 2, 2014
I haven't seen Todd since graduation, I missed our 30th, I have thought about him often over the years.i looked up to him for his intelligence and athletic abilities .i regret not attending our30 I'm sure we would have had lots to talk about .my prayers to him and his family Bruce skals
Tim Thorin
September 2, 2014
Dear Sessler Family, I am sorry to hear of Todd's passing. I went to High School with him. He was a great guy! My thoughts and prayers are with Todd's family at this tough time.
Jill Collins
September 2, 2014
Pam, Ed, Michelle so very sad to hear of this. I was actually shocked! Myself and my family are sending prayers your way. Such a great loss of such a great man. There are no words, Gods blessing Todd, Pam, Ed, Michelle.
Nancy (Ostby) Jensen
September 2, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Although I haven't seen Todd for many years, I have many fun memories of him from our swim days. Mostly, I remember his kind heart. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May the love of Jesus help carry you through this difficult time.
Betty and Jerry Feldhaus
September 2, 2014
Dear Pam, Ed and Michelle. We just learned of Todd's passing. What a shock. Our sincere sympathy. You are all in our prayers. We have such good memories of Todd growing up in Sioux Falls on Mary Drive!!!! Sincerely, Betty and Jerry Feldhaus
Kurt Watzek
September 2, 2014
To the Sessler Family- I am so saddened by your loss. Todd was such a terrific person to know while growing up in Sioux Falls; he had such a strong, intelligent character that was respected by all. I enjoyed immensely, talking with him at our 30 year high school reunion... and he was just as I remembered him. My heart goes out to you.
Kathy Bruflat Schrad
September 2, 2014
Dear Ed, Pam and Michele, we love you and are praying for you. Our hearts are broken. Todd was always kind to me and I hold in high esteem both he and Michele's friendship. We love your family and my parents and I are praying. Much love and respect, The Bruflats, Dick and Donna Bruflat and Kathy Bruflat Schrad
Natalie (Ostby) McNichol
September 2, 2014
Dear Sessler Family,
I am so sorry to hear the news of Todd passing. I always remember him laughing. We swam many yards together in the pool, and our families spent much time together at swim meets. I remember you all with fondness...Michele and I were good friends. May God give you His peace as you mourn your most profound loss.
Lori Larsen-Melemseter
September 2, 2014
Dear Pam, Ed and Michele, Linda and kids, I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Diane
September 1, 2014
A kind and sensitive man. Soaring through the cosmos and stars. His eyes smiled when he was happy. Good by Todd.
Trish Lane
September 1, 2014
Ed, Pam, Matt & Sara ...I am so deeply sorry for your loss. One of Todd's colleagues called me with the news of his passing. I pray that he has found peace. What a brilliant mind, kind man and talented athlete. He will be missed by many.
September 1, 2014
Shocked to hear this awful news. I worked with Todd on many projects over the years. My condolences to the family.
Peter Withers
Katrina Manley
September 1, 2014
Pam and Ed,
Thinking of you at this time.
Katrina Manley
Barb Newcomb Saxton
August 31, 2014
Pam and Ed,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Todd. May you find peace in knowing that he is now in God's care.
Sioux Falls SnowFox Swim Team 1980ish
August 31, 2014
Sioux Falls Swim Team 1978ish
August 31, 2014
Sioux Falls Swim Team 1976ish
August 31, 2014
"Senior" Sioux Falls Swimmers
Dan Patterson
August 31, 2014
Moments were many to always cherish with Todd.
Sioux Falls Swim Team 1976ish
Dan Patterson
August 31, 2014
Forever swimmingly!
August 31, 2014
I am very sorry for your loss , I attended High School with Todd at Lincoln he was always so kind.
August 31, 2014
Pam and Ed, Dee and I send our condolences to you and family.
Our prayers will remember you.
Deanna and Royce Adams, Sioux Falls, SD
Maggie McMillan
August 31, 2014
My condolences to Linda and their children., I know this must be a very sad time for you all.
Greg Hall
August 31, 2014
Dear Ed, Pam and family. My heart and prayers are extended to you in the loss of Todd. I sincerely hope that many prayers and your friends can assist you in the coming hours, days, and months.
Greg C. Hall
August 31, 2014
Pam, Ed, Michele, Sara, and Matthew
So sorry to hear of Todd's passing. He certainly accomplished many things and led an interesting life. Remember and cherish the good times and place your trust in God. Your family is in my prayers.
Richard OConnor
August 31, 2014
You will be missed, Todd.
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