William Osborne Kerr, Jr.

Professor William Kerr passed away on January 31, 2023, in Wiesbaden, Germany, from the effects of a fall and dementia. He was 85 years old.

He was known as Bill to his family and many friends, who mourn the loss of his humor, intelligence, and sparkling, engaging conversations. Over the course of his many-faceted life, he was a writer, scholar, athlete, university professor, photographer and videographer, dancer, traveler, prolific correspondent, mentor, proud father, and always, a philosopher.

The people in Bill's life cherished his ever-youthful curiosity, irreverent spirit, and unique intellect. His friendships spanned countries and endured throughout his long life, nurtured and sparked by his commitment to writing the most amazing letters and emails, and his delight in long phone chats when it wasn't possible to meet up in person.

William Osborne Kerr, Jr. was born on May 5, 1937 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to William Osborne Kerr, Sr., a clothing salesman, and Margaret (McCarten) Kerr, a registered nurse. He showed early promise and athletic ability, and was active in student politics and sports at Stratford High School. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a philosophy degree in 1959. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Buffalo in 1961 and 1969, respectively.

In 1959, he married Joan Barbara Odrzywolski, and by 1964, the couple had three daughters. He was stationed as an Army lieutenant at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX in 1965 to fulfill his ROTC commitment. The family lived there until they moved to San Jose, CA in 1967, where Bill was an assistant professor at Santa Clara University.

He and Joan divorced in 1973. Bill lived in Berkeley, CA for a few years, working with Chapman University. In 1976, he received an M.A. in Psychology from Antioch College. He began teaching philosophy, religion, psychology, and more for the University of Maryland overseas military program in the late 1970s. That work took him all over Europe, from Iceland to Spain, and even Kosovo. Most of his classes were based in Frankfurt, and in 1985 he settled in Wiesbaden, in the book-filled apartment that would be his home for the next 38 years.

He retired from the University of Maryland in 2014, and continued to be active in planning and attending academic and philosophy conferences and events until a few years ago. He was also a member of the Democrats Abroad Germany, Wiesbaden/Mainz Chapter.

Bill is survived by his daughters Lauren, Rachel, and Jennifer, and his grandchildren Joana, Gabriel, and Grace. His sister Mary Taylor Kerr Gutierro survives him, along with her children Maurice Gutierro (Tanya) and Michelle Mackey; and two grand-nephews.

His dear friends Anni Cecil and Linda and Stefan Schmitt were by his side and gave him immense support and comfort during the last few months of his life.

Bill's ashes will be interred in the family plot in Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport. Bill cared so much about writing and teaching - you may choose to honor his memory by making a contribution to Chapter 510, a nonprofit youth writing and publishing center. https://www.chapter510.org/