Geology professor dies at 70

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Roger Leroy Kaesler, professor emeritus of geology, died Aug. 11 at the age of 70.

Kaesler was born on June 22, 1937. He earned his bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from the University of Colorado School of Mines in 1959, where he later received the Distinguished Alumni Award and the van Diest Gold Medal. Kaesler then earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in paleontology at the University of Kansas. Kaesler became a faculty member in 1965 and retired in 2006. He taught classes at the non-major, undergraduate and graduate levels. He also led a summer geology field camp in Canon City, Colo.

Kaesler received many awards during his tenure at KU. He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, of the Paleontological Society (USA), and of the Geological Society of America. Kaesler also received the Geological Society of America’s Distinguished Service Award and the Haworth Distinguished Alumni Award from both the KU geology department and from the Colorado School of Mines.

“Roger Kaesler was a tremendous asset to the University of Kansas,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway said in a press release. “For more than 40 years, Roger served as a professor in the geology department and was a mentor to countless students and colleagues. On behalf of them and the University, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Roger’s family and friends.”

Kaesler is survived by his wife, Jerelyn Boudreaux Kaesler; brother Walter Kaesler Jr. of Golden, Colo.; son Stephen Kaesler of Wichita; daughters Jane Kaesler Stotts of Topeka, Andrea Kaesler of Topeka, and Susanne Broussard Grossoehme of Baldwin City; and his five grandchildren, Conner, Gabriella, Drake, Cade and Emma.

Kaesler was editor of 13 volumes of the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Robert Goldstein, chair of the geology department, said Kaesler’s accomplishments were one of the main reasons KU’s geology department ranked in the top 10 in the US Reports and Rankings.

“He had a great sense of humor,” Goldstein said. “He was famous in his field. As a colleague, he was just a great guy and a mentor to lots of young faculty and students.”

A memorial service will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 4 in the Natural History Museum.

— Edited by Tara Smith

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