Robert Emmett Kessler

1935 - 2025

Robert Emmett Kessler

February 26, 1935 - July 24, 2025

Kansas City, Missouri - Robert "Bob" E. Kessler, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at his home, surrounded by loving family.

A lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri, Bob graduated from local schools and earned multiple degrees before a distinguished engineering career at Bendix, Honeywell, and AlliedSignal, where he contributed to the nation's defense efforts, facilitating the advancement of computer-integrated manufacturing for the production of the non-nuclear components of nuclear weapons. Bob married Barbara Starling in 1959, and their steadfast family included three children, with cherished vacations to the Missouri Ozarks and Colorado Rockies. Passionate about science, education, and global affairs, Bob was an avid reader, early computer enthusiast, and a dedicated and active community volunteer who founded a nonprofit focused on applying research to improve K-12 learning. Known for a smile and friendly laugh, he was a curious and optimistic person, principled in nature, who valued a meaningful conversation. In later years, he spoke often of happiness and empathy.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Susan Lynn; his parents, John Frank and Dorothy May (Porter) Kessler; his brother and sister-in-law, Johnny and Marilyn Kessler. He is survived by Barbara, his wife of sixty-five plus years; his son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Katherine Kessler of Grand Junction, CO, their two children, Anne Kessler and her fiancé, Eli Zehe of Denver, CO, and Dylan Kessler of Boise, ID; his son, Eric Kessler and his children, Maura (Kessler) and Carter Steer, Rebecca Kessler, and Owen Kessler, all residing in the Kansas City area. He is also survived by nephews, nieces, countless friends, colleagues, and mentees, whose lives he touched.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, November 25 at Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry St., Kansas City, Missouri. A service will follow at 2:00 pm.

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