Bert M. Kessler of Plano, Texas passed away September 3, 2016, at the age of 63.  He was born February 20, 1953, to Anton Kessler and Elizabeth (Fischenich) Kessler in Germany.  He was Vice President of Engineering for Palm Harbor Homes.  Bert M. Kessler was born in a picturesque city on the Rhine River - Nierstein, Germany. From the stories he told, it was apparent that he, 4th of 7 children, was tenacious, daring and loved a good prank. He had no fear, as the roadmap of scars across his scalp proved, and never admitted any injury was 'more than a scratch'. Bert relished the stories he told of derring-do and precociousness, exploring the Burg by the river from sunrise to dusk, entertaining the neighbors in the basement 'party room', deploying home-made stink-bombs down stairwells to close school early, and working the vineyards when he was old enough to carry the baskets. Each and every recount included the line 'To make a long story short...' long after it was too late to matter.  He became an excellent cook, earning his spending money for Darmstadt University, in his Uncle's restaurant, and could pull off haute cuisine with nothing more than a hot plate and a microwave.  Bert loved the Backerie Dietz, with his sister Ingrid and her husband Wilhelm. He enjoyed the time he spent in Tubingen (near Black Forest) with his sister Traudel, working for his Brother in Law, 'Big Nick'. Nicklaus is responsible for my never having to call a repairman. Bert learned to tile floors, lay carpet, repair plumbing, install electric and most importantly, 'Measure Twice, Cut Once'. He looked up to his oldest brother, Karl-Heinz (Charlie), and enjoyed traveling, taking advantage of Charlie's job at Lufthansa. Most of those 'on the cheap' tickets were used to bounce between the US and Germany. Bert brought that relish for life to Missouri in the mid 70s, following his sister Marika to the US, and continued gathering scars, amazing people with his 'duct tape and corn cob' fixes, and clearly inspiring the character of MacGuyver. He collected wonderful stories and lifelong friends living on the Mohler farm, and loved working the fields with his brother-in-law Sam. Bert loved having his family visit, especially in Florida. His brothers Klaus and Stefan helped him explore many nooks and crannies all over the state, often with Beth riding on his shoulders. It was always a party when the Kessler boys came to town.  He started in the Home Building business in Chillicothe, MO at Wick Building Systems, spent some time with Marshfield Homes, followed a storied and winding road to Florida, where he was cleverly courted by Fuqua Homes, met the woman he was destined to marry, started a family, eventually landing in the family of Palm Harbor Homes. They had the wisdom to appoint him VP of Engineering, a task he loved dearly, and performed passionately.  Bert loved his Jeep and his Scroll Saw; Merlot and Coors Light; he loved Phantom of the Opera, Andre Rieu, 60s British Rock, Clint Eastwood movies, and was an Olympic caliber La-Z-Boy napper. He loved Nascar Racing and Soccer with a passion, and loved that Bryan shared that passion, but also tolerated Hockey because he loved his son. Bert watched Baseball because he loved his wife, although he always considered the Intentional Walk to be a fascist device, and never was clear on the Infield Fly Rule. It had been much less a chore to tolerate the daily hairstyle changes, constant 'comb overs' and foot massages in the 80s, because he adored his daughter and would sit for hours while she worked on him. Bert loved the touch of people he loved.  He loved Lulu the cat, Timmy the Chupycabra, and Jack the Dachshund. Most of all, he loved his family, both immediate and extended. His love was always unconditional, never waivered, and never went without return.  We would fall short if we failed to mention John Doeden, a longtime friend who was always more family than colleague. The adventures those two had together would put a John McDonald novel to shame. To quote W.H. Auden, 'he was my North, my South, my East, my West - my working week, my Sunday rest'. 

He is survived by wife, Norma Kessler of Plano, Texas; daughter, Bethany Kessler and partner Jes Sisco of Fitchburg, Massachusetts; son, Bryan Kessler and wife Kirsten Dearnley of Richardson, Texas; sisters, Marika Mohler of Braymer, Missouri, Traudel Weber and Ingrid Dietz of Germany; brothers, Karl Heinz Kessler, Klaus Kessler, and Stefan Kessler all of Germany; and a number of nephews, nieces, cousins, and other family members.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., September 12, 2016 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. 
We request no flowers. 

He will be cremated and given to the soil in Florida, Missouri and Germany.  If you want to send something, choose your favorite charity, or feel free to donate to The National Hemophilia Foundation.  https://www.hemophilia.org/