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Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

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Robin Garr

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Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Robin Garr » Mon Feb 04, 2019 6:47 pm

I'm very sad to report that Lou Kessler, an old-time WLDGer and a gentleman who I don't think ever got in a fight with anyone, has died. :(

Brad Kane (another name from the past) reported Lou's passing on Facebook, and I share his note with permission:

Bradley J Kane wrote:I just received the sad news that my friend Lou Kessler passed away. We first got to know each other via the interwebz on the Wine Lover's Discussion Group around 1997 and met in NY for the first time in '98. He and BettyLu's yearly trips to NY after that were always a highlight of my year, as were the times they'd host and fete me with wonderful wine dinners when I'd visit them in Napa.

RIP, Lou. You were a real mensch and I know you'll be drinking well with Dressner, Dougherty and Coad at the great big jeeb in the sky. My condolences to BL and his family.
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Bob Parsons Alberta

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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Bob Parsons Alberta » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:41 pm

Sad news indeed.
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TomHill

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Wow..

by TomHill » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:45 pm

So sorry to hear about Lou’s death. After yrs of InterNet wine interactions, finally met him at Steve Edmunds BD party. As true a gentleman as there ever was.
Tom
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David M. Bueker

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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by David M. Bueker » Mon Feb 04, 2019 8:46 pm

A fate that awaits us all, but still so sad.
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Hoke

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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Hoke » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:30 pm

There's a large vacant place in my life now. A true and dear friend, Lou Kessler, used to occupy it. Forcefully. And always with grace. Curious taste in garish sweaters and florid shirts (I blame Coad's influence), but outside of that, Lou was the epitome of good taste.

Lou loved wine. He had the passion. And he loved sharing the wine almost as much as the wine itself.
He and BL were always the consummate hosts; they welcomed us into their hearts and their home.

And, like Jeremiah, he always had some mighty fine wine.

I will miss him so much.

My thoughts are with BL in her time of grief.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by wnissen » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:31 pm

Oh, man. A gruff sweethearted gentleman if ever there was one, and very generous with his collection. Haven't seen him or BettyLu for a number of years, that number being ten or more, but I send my condolences to her.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Jenise » Mon Feb 04, 2019 9:55 pm

Oh dear god. I'm broken hearted dor BL and the whole family, and selfishly a bit for myself because I never met them but had always planned to. I hope he didn't suffer.
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Jon Leifer » Mon Feb 04, 2019 11:07 pm

Sad indeed to hear of Lou's passing..A fine gentleman, he will be missed
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Howie Hart » Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:35 am

Very sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed his posts.
Chico - Hey! This Bottle is empty!
Groucho - That's because it's dry Champagne.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Dale Williams » Tue Feb 05, 2019 9:26 am

Really sorry to hear. A true gentleman and I always enjoyed his posts. I think the postings from different people about their annual cassoulet dinner(s) were a treasure of the wine webz. I'm sure BL knows how much he was loved.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Peter May » Tue Feb 05, 2019 1:08 pm

Oh dear, how sad.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by wnissen » Sat Feb 09, 2019 2:39 pm

Has anyone seen an obit? I looked in the usual places and on a few Facebook pages but didn't see anything.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Tim York » Sun Feb 10, 2019 3:54 am

It's always sad to learn the disappearance of someone whose posts one has enjoyed over the years. Condolences to Lou's family.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Patchen Markell » Mon Feb 11, 2019 9:30 pm

I’m so sorry to hear this. I only met Lou once, many years ago, but I remember him vividly as a vibrant, lively, and generous man. My condolences to BettyLu and to all his family and friends.
cheers, Patchen
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by Hoke » Wed Feb 20, 2019 4:34 pm

A followup:

After Lou's passing, I flew down to work with Jason Brandt Lewis (who was and still is recovering from knee surgery) to help with a rough re-organization of Lou's Cellar, and in the process choose the wines for the Cassoulet Dinners. (Yes, she is still intent on doing them this year.)

She felt relieved that Jason and I pitched in for the wine choices, as she trusted us to both choose good wines and to choose wines that Lou likely would have chosen himself. I hope the various invitees to Cassoulet will agree we did a good job. We even picked out several alternates, just in case. Anisman came over, but he too was crippled from a severe glass laceration on his wrist and hand. He'll be okay though.

For those who knew Lou, he spent the last couple of weeks in Hospice Care at home. BL and family from both the Bay Area and Southern CA were with him at the end. Essentially, at the age of 90, Lou's system, specifically his circulatory system, just sort of slowly gave up.

He honored me with his friendship, and I will miss him.
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David M. Bueker

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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by David M. Bueker » Wed Feb 20, 2019 4:55 pm

Really appreciate the follow up Hoke. Thanks!
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by wnissen » Wed Feb 20, 2019 5:27 pm

Thanks, Hoke.
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Re: Lou Kessler, R.I.P.

by SteveEdmunds » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:26 pm

Thanks, Hoke; our best to BL when you see her (and to you and Roxie, Jason and Lynn)
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