AVONDALE, Ariz. — I’m writing this to let you know that my dear, sweet Husband Richard Dale Kessen, passed away on January 27, 2022. He will be buried on Feb 9th in Avondale Arizona.

Dick was born January 2, 1941 in Southern Illinois at home to Mr.& Mrs. John Henry & Mary Elizabeth Kessen. He was the youngest of eight children. He attended Catholic grade School in Rochelle and Sycamore IL. He graduated from High School in Sycamore IL. He attended the University of Illinois; he broke his collar bone while playing Football and was on the team with Dick Butkus.

He joined the Army Corps of Engineering and was sent to Vietnam. While there he struck his head on a trip-wire. Dick built runways for our United States Air Craft and did water purification in the jungles of Vietnam. During his years of service he was shot in the temple, had his teeth kicked out and breathed in poisonous chemicals in the jungles.

Dick met JoAnn Pesuit of DeKalb upon returning from Military service. We were married three months later. Dick worked at Barber Green in DeKalb, IL and attended Jr College in Aurora IL. We had a beautiful daughter, Julliann Nannette on February 9, 1968. She was killed in 1986.

Dick graduated with honors from Southern Illinois University where we lived at the time. From Aurora IL to Texas…we lived.

Dick work for Tampo Manufacturing in San Antonio TX. He then worked with the C-5 Aircraft in Civil Service for the US Air Force at San Antonio & Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia until he retired after 26 years of making sure that the C-5 aircraft was fixed in the air & landed safely anywhere in the world. Dick received many awards from the US Air Force in recognition of his work. After Dick retired he & I moved to Phoenix AZ.

Dick coached football for 7th & 8th grade at St. Pius in San Antonio TX. He was President of the Appaloosa Horse Club in San Antonio TX, for many years. He loved Football, Sports and horses.

We loved each other for 55⅟2 years. He lies beside our daughter in Avondale AZ Holy Cross Cemetery looking up at the Arizona blue skies.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn Kessen, Sun City AZ. his Brother Robert Kessen, Sister-in-Law Caroline Kessen both of Rochelle, IL as well as many loving Nieces & Nephews.

With all my Love… JoAnn Pesuit Kessen