Robert Lee Kiesler

Kiesler Robert Lee Kiesler, age 90 passed away on April 24, 2023. A longtime resident of Winnetka, Illinois, as well as Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Bob led a full life, embellished by love for his family and driven by the pursuit of knowledge.

He was born on August 25, 1932, in Chicago to Maurice and Frieda [Galant] Kiesler. He attended Stone Elementary School and Senn High School, where he was a member of the varsity football team and then on to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. At college, Bob was elected to Sachem, the junior men's leadership honor society, and was also president of his college fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu. Bob received a Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois. At law school, he was President of the mid-year senior class.

In college, he met Marlene Brody, who became his loving wife for over 50 years. She predeceased him, as well as brothers, James and Martin and sister, Alice Solomon. He is survived by sister, June McNeil.

Bob treasured his loving children Mitchell, Carolyn Wynn and Evan, as well as his grandchildren Ryan and Hannah Kiesler and Emma and Timothy Wynn. He is survived by his loving companion, Sheila Olshansky and many cherished nieces and nephews.

After college, Bob became a member of the Judge Advocate General Corp. of the U. S. Navy, where he rose to the rank of Full Lieutenant. One of his most memorable cases in the Navy is when he was loaned to the Air Force. He was asked to defend a Navy field maintenance officer in a court of inquiry at the Air Force base in St. Charles, Louisiana. The jet assistance take-off pods of a B-47 were inadvertently activated, without a pilot aboard the plane. The plane took-off and then crashed, while carrying an atomic bomb.

Upon completion of service, he returned to Chicago and entered private practice. In 1963, Bob formed the law firm of Kiesler & Berman, with his college and law school roommate, Marvin Berman. The firm of Kiesler & Berman was primarily devoted to the defense of civil litigation. It grew, and by 1992, it had become one of the 100 largest law firms in Illinois.

As an attorney, Bob was a member of the American, Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations as well as numerous legal organizations and societies. To name a few, he was Chairman of the Illinois Bar Association Insurance Law section, and of the Chicago Bar Association Insurance Law Committee, where he also served on its Judicial Evaluation Committee. Bob was a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and of the Society of Trial Lawyers. He was the author of numerous articles and legal texts published by the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations, as well as a plethora of legal organizations, societies and private corporations, for all of whom he also lectured. He further acted as an instructor for practicing attorneys, and submitted written materials which were published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Bob's trial career was extensive and wide ranging. It extended from representing the Chicago Park District in its objection to the Nazi march in Grant Park to the case of FEL Publications vs. The Catholic Bishop of Chicago. That case, tried in the U.S. District court, solidified the copyrights of liturgical music publishers, in that its music was not free for use, even by a church. More important, on appeal, the Seventh Circuit held that each parish church and the Archdiocese were one in the same. That rule was later extended to the actions of an individual priest. Accordingly, the Archdiocese was deemed responsible for the conduct of its priests. The ruling has far reaching consequences.

Under no circumstances was Bob's life limited by the law. He cherished his annual Canadian fishing trip with the guys. Likewise, he treasured his many visits to play golf at the British Open courses with his English friends. Further, he was also always up to playing a game of duplicate bridge. In later years he reveled in his morning coffee discussion group at McDonalds.

Upon his return from the Naval service, he and Marlene settled in Wilmette, Illinois, where as an adult, his contribution to community services began. He was a member of the Wilmette Caucus as well as a Little League baseball coach. Upon moving to Winnetka, he coached its junior football team. Later, and for many years, he was a hockey coach in the village house league. Bob was a founding member of the Winnetka Children's Theater and pro bono attorney for the Winnetka Nursery School. He finished his official career of public service as Police and Fire Commissioner of Winnetka. However, his helping hand to others, never stopped, Bob touched the lives of many.

Bob's business acumen did not end with the law. He was also co-owner and active Board Member of United Gasket Corporation, a precision cutter and fabricator.

Bob loved and appreciated so many, and their love and respect was returned, tenfold, by his family and friends.

Services and internment will be held at a future date. In Bob's memory, a memorial may be made to a charity of your choice.