Dale Kent Kessinger

Dale “Kent” Kessinger

August 6, 1934 – July 17, 2020

Dale “Kent” Kessinger, 85, of College Station passed away Friday, July 17, 2020. Graveside Funeral Services are set for 10AM Tuesday, July 21 in the Bryan City Cemetery.

Born August 6, 1934 in Collinsville, OK, he was the son of Dale and Maxine (Kaufman) Kessinger.

His parents, Dale and Maxine; and a sister-in-law, Renee Roy proceed him in death.

Kent leaves behind to cherish his memories, his loving wife of 36 years, Madeleine Kessinger; two sisters, Joy and her husband Harry Olson, and Linda Kay Medis, four sisters-in-laws and their spouses, Josee Roy, Zita Roy and Gerard Bibard, Francoise Durand and Michel, and Manon Roy and Gilles Rancourt; two brother-in-laws and spouses, Charles-Andre Roy and Debbie Nicoll Griffith and Louis Roy and Louyse Blanchette; and numerious nephews and nieces.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the entire Emcompass Health and Hospice team as well as Rose Ann Rodriguez.

Kent was such a multi-faceted person, a true Renaissance man, that probably every friend remembers something different about him.  An artist in many art forms: poetry, painting, printing, woodcuts, he expressed himself in ways others could appreciate and relate to.

As a conversationalist, he was witty and perceptive and had questions to make onethink deeply about matters of importance.

As a friend, he was warm, welcoming, and encouraging, by word and example showing compassion and the ever-present urge of the true teacher to help others to think from new perspectives and become more Christ-like in the process.

He was aware of the truth of the saying “The more you know, the more you suffer" but never showed a desire to shrink from the responsibilities that a sensitive highly educated soul must feel to continue to acquire knowledge himself and to help others to learn new things, too. Kent’s education and life experience included a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley in Rhetoric, several years as a Curator of the De Young Museum in San Francisco, work in industry and in business and in education.

His favorite poet was that musically gifted and well-loved 17th century English poet George Herbert, whose short life ended as a pastor in a country parish, about which calling Herbert wrote in the poem “Windows.”Kent's own poetry provided a window into his soul and sometimes into the humorous aspects of life as he experienced it.

The quiet uncomplaining way Kent adjusted to the illness that signaled the approaching end of a long and joy-filled life was an inspiration to those who witnessed it from close by, especially his beloved wife Madeleine. She also became his principal encourager and caretaker during these last years of his pilgrimage to the Promised Land where all Christ's own will enjoy their everlasting rest in His presence with great joy.

Soli Deo Gratia, to God be the glory.Rest in peace, beloved brother in Christ.

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