Randy Kessler

Randy Kessler, 50, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, October 22, 2020, to be with his Lord and Savior.  He was born March 19, 1970 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to his loving parents Barbara (Fishler) and Richard Kessler. He attended Kenosha schools and graduated from Bradford High School.  After working at a Texas publisher for three years, he returned to Kenosha, and on August 11, 2001, married his best friend Arianne (Schneider) Kessler.  Celebrating over 19 years of marriage, Randy was the love of her life.  He was a proud father of their two lovely daughters Arabella and Carmelina.  His girls were the light of his life. His twinkly-eyed jokes evoked joy, his deep faith inspired, and his kindness uplifted those around him.  He truly loved spending time with his family and friends.  He enjoyed road trips with his girls, trips to Door County, listening to a variety of genres of music, and following politics and sports – even attaining his dream of getting to a Cubs game in the World Series.  In his younger years, he relished summer family trips to Pine Lake to camp and fish.

Randy was well known and admired greatly in the children’s publishing industry. He officially started his career at Western Publishing/Golden books in 1992 after graduating from UW Parkside with a degree in Business Management and Marketing.  He later worked at Lyric Studios and Dalmatian Press. His career path eventually lead him to his National Sales Account Manager job at Scholastic Inc. where he worked the last 16 years. Randy loved the work of getting quality books to children, and in this highly fulfilling job, he created a network of friends and colleagues along the way that extended around the country.

He is survived by his wife, Arianne and their daughters, Arabella and Carmelina; his mother Barbara Kessler with whom he shared a special bond; brother Scott (Page) Kessler; nephews Payden Kessler and Wyatt Kessler; parents-in-law David and Dolly Schneider, brother-in-law Aaron Schneider; sister-in-law Aimee (Ryan) Cooks; nephews Kyale Cooks, Garrett Olson, Nathan Olson, and niece, Savannah Cooks.

He was proceeded in death by his beloved father, Richard Kessler, who he had dearly missed these last two years.

 A memorial service for Randy will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at Immanuel Kenosha Church (6009 – Pershing Blvd.). A visitation with the family will be held on Saturday from 9:30 A.M. until the service at 11:00 A.M. The family asks that during the visitation, everyone in attendance adhere to current Covid-19 protocols. This includes: wearing of masks, social distancing and refrain from touching the family. The family thanks everyone in advance for adhering to the protocols in these difficult times. A celebration of Randy’s life will be held in the summer of 2021. Randy will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Thoughts for Randy Kessler;

  • Diane and Kent Smith says:

    So sorry for your loss Ariadne and the entire Kessler Family. Bless you all in this difficult time ?♥️?

  • Tia Gueu says:

    I think of Randy with a sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face. My deepest condolences to all his beloved family.

  • Tom Rogers says:

    So sorry to Randy’s family. His mother Barb was always my favorite aunt. We had terrible problems at home and visits to their family when we kids were times of respite, a safe harbor to me. Certainly, he got his mother’s sweetness and his father’s friendliness. Both Dick and Randy will be greatly missed and I hope this sweet family will have no more sorrows. The world is a better place because of the Kessler family. May they live long and produce in all of their endeavors that bless us all. Goodbye Randy.

  • Charlotte Maywald says:

    My heart is heavy with the loss of Randy. I pray that the Angels will wrap their wings around Randy and provide love and comfort to him as he left this life so early. He is needed as a spiritual guide to so many now. I’m at a loss of words for comfort to his young girls and wife. I knew Randy well in the publishing industry. I respected him and looked to him for counsel when I needed it, and he never failed to provide it with a smile. I looked so forward to our “First Friday” breakfast meetings to share both business and personal life stories. The admiration of his family was heart warming. I also pray that the memories he provided to all help in their grief as they share stories.

  • Mike Lutz says:

    RIP Randy

    A truly great man. Thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughters, and family. When he asked you how you were doing? or how’s the family?….he really cared! He will be sorely missed. It was my pleasure to know him, work side by side with him, and to compete with him.

    Goodbye my friend!

  • Susan and David Stasinos says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Randy’s mother, Barb (always my favorite aunt) and the rest of his family! This was such a sad, unexpected passing of a truly great family man. He will be missed by all who knew him and most of all by his family!

    Please accept our heartfelt condolences that we hope will help you through this difficult time.

    Susan and David Stasinos

  • Chris Satterlund says:

    I knew Randy for the thirteen years I have worked at Scholastic. I am a field sales rep and based on the west coast so I only got to see my Scholastic family three times a year. Randy always made me feel like we had just seen each other five minutes ago. As so many have said his delightful smile and gentle humor always were a shining part of coming into the NYO offices. Many of us have said he was the best of us and he was. He so loved his ladies. His passion for the work we get to do always shone.
    May he rest in peace and I wish for the love that he gave freely to sustain us all through this incredibly difficult time.

  • Peter Molinari says:

    So sorry for your loss Arianne. Randy was a special person and I was fortunate to know him for almost 30 years since meeting him at Western Publishing/Golden Books. I always looked forward to our dinners in New York during BEA each year where a small group of friends could escape have a few laughs and share stories. His smile, his quirky sense of humor and his kindness will always be in my memories of him. Rest In Peace my friend.

  • Dan Wessell says:

    You are Missed, but not Forgotten Randy. You made the world a better place and your impact and memory will carry into the future. Thank you.

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