Visiting Italy

Hans Otto Kessler (later Dr. John Otto Kessler) was born in Vienna in 1928 to Alice Blanca Neuhut and Jakob Kessler. The family relocated to Baden, approximately thirty-five miles from Vienna when Hans (Hansi) was four-years old. His maternal grandfather retired from his role as the sales director of a light bulb company, and bought a hotel. Kessler lived in this hotel as a child where his mother cooked, and his father managed the expenses. Growing up, Kessler knew of his Jewish identity, but his family practiced Judaism socially rather than religiously. He was exposed to a variety of religions because his mother came from a predominantly Catholic family, and his maternal grandmother studied Buddhism. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis gained control of Austria, Kessler’s father was arrested and detained in Vienna. Kessler, along with his mother, and maternal grandmother, were baptized as Lutherans, potentially an effort of protection from Nazi control. Kessler’s mother, a resourceful woman who enjoyed reading English detective novels, used her language skills to secure a job in England. She received the position immediately, and managed to free her husband from prison. The Kesslers overcame the risky journey to England, narrowly escaping patrolmen at the border between Germany and Belgium. From Belgium, they boarded a ferry to England. In England, Kessler’s mother worked as a chef, and his father earned a living as a butler. Kessler assimilated and learned English at a boarding school near Sussex. John Kessler and his family immigrated to the United States in 1940. They lived in New York for one month. Kessler’s mother wanted to live in a warmer climate, and the family decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida. Kessler attended boarding school in Connecticut, and later moved to Jacksonville after his parents established themselves financially. Back in Vienna, Kessler’s grandparents could no longer manage the hotel, and felt threatened by Nazi control. They escaped to Cuba and joined Kessler’s family in 1941. Kessler attended high school in Jacksonville and was a stellar student, earning a scholarship to Columbia University. His father passed away in 1945, and his mother joined him in New York. Kessler earned a degree in physics, later achieving a PhD. He married his wife, Eva, in 1950. He began working at the University of Arizona in 1966, where he is currently a researcher and professor Emeritus.

Alice Blanca Neuhut and Jakob Kessler lived in Vienna. Their son, Hans Otto Kessler (later Dr. John Otto Kessler), was born in 1928. Alice's father retired from his role as the sales director of a light bulb company, and bought a hotel. The Kessler family lived in this hotel where Alice cooked, and Jakob managed the expenses. Alice came from a predominantly Catholic family, and her mother studied Buddhism. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis gained control of Austria, Jakob Kessler was arrested and detained in Vienna. Alice, Hansi, and her mother had been baptized as Lutherans, and Alice, who enjoyed reading English detective novels, used her language skills to secure a job in England. She received the position immediately, and managed to free her husband from prison. The Kesslers overcame the risky journey to England, narrowly escaping patrolmen at the border between Germany and Belgium. From Belgium, they boarded a ferry to England. In England, Alice worked as a chef, and Jakob earned a living as a butler. They immigrated to the United States in 1940 and lived in New York for one month. Alice wanted to live in a warmer climate, so the family decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida. Back in Vienna, Alice's parents could no longer manage the hotel, and felt threatened by Nazi control. They escaped to Cuba and joined their family in the US in 1941. After Jakob died in 1945, Alice joined her son back in New York.