Charles Melvin Kesser passed away on July 17, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Health
Center in Crossville, Tennessee. He was born on April 24, 1926 to Rose and Charles Kesser in
Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, graduated from Washington Park High
School and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a degree in
electrical engineering. He was a veteran of the United States Navy. On December 14, 1946 he
married Lorraine Madsen in Racine, Wisconsin. He started his career with RCA in Marion,
Indiana and later moved to Elmira, New York where he worked for Westinghouse for the next
25 years. There, he ran their development lab and traveled extensively throughout Europe as
their Director for International Development. In 1977 his career took him to Taiwan where he
was the Engineering Director for the Clinton Taiwan Corporation. He would later be named
President of CTC before eventually returning to Rockford, Illinois to finish out his career with
Clinton Electronics.
Charles was an athlete his entire life. He raced bicycles as a teenager, took up running
in his 40’s and enjoyed swimming into his 80’s, whether in Lake St. George or in the pool. But
his passion was golf, a passion he shared with his family and friends. He would play wherever
and whenever time allowed – Mark Twain GC (Elmira), Johnson Park GC (Racine), Linkou GC
(Taiwan) and all of the courses around Fairfield Glade. He also enjoyed playing cards with
family and friends and carried a travel-size cribbage board with him on his travels. He and
Lorraine loved visiting family in Racine and later their children and grandchildren around the
country. After Lorraine passed in August 1985, Charles moved to Fairfield Glade, TN where he
built his house on the lake property they purchased for retirement.
As he settled into life in “The Glade”, he met many people through his activities and
friends. He was introduced to Josephine Krug when she traveled to Tennessee to visit her
cousins. They were married in November 1988. Their life together was full of travel throughout
the US, Europe and Asia. They never missed an opportunity to gather for fun with friends and
family. Joanne passed away recently at the age of 102.
Charles is survived by his children: Edward Kesser (Barbara), Susan Thompson
(Charles), Mary Ann Smith (James), Catherine Thorp (Lewis) and John Kesser (Christine). He is
also fondly remembered by his 13 grandchildren and their spouses. Charles was also blessed
with 27 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Kesser and sister-in-law,
Sally Schoone as well as Josephine’s son, Jeff Krug (Marline), their sons (Tim and Steven) and
their spouses as well as another seven great grandchildren.
His funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 at 10:00am at St Francis of Assisi
Catholic Church in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.