On Monday, April 21, 2025, Richard “Rick” Scott Kesler, passed away at the age of 64.
Rick was born on August 31, 1960, in Morton, IL, to Richard and Evelyn (Kiger) Kesler. He graduated from Urbana High School and attended the University of Illinois where he earned BS degrees in Agriculture Science and Agricultural Engineering. He would go on to work as a Manufacturing Engineering Leader at Honeywell for more than 30 years.
He met Donna (Larson) while at the University of Illinois and the two were married on June 25, 1983, then moved to Freeport, IL. The couple moved to El Paso, TX, in 1987 where their two sons, Richard and Scott, were born. In 1993, the family moved to Tucson, AZ, before returning to Freeport, IL, in 1997. In 2019, Rick and Donna moved to Champaign, IL.
Rick coached Richard and Scott through all their youth sports, from YMCA programs to club basketball and soccer and everything in between. The family’s basement was lined with pictures and trophies from all the teams he coached.
Rick was a huge fan of the Fighting Illini (ILL!). He and Donna attended as many games and events as they could, across all the U of I athletic programs. He enjoyed attending St. Louis Cardinals’ games with his dad and continued that with his family. He loved watching his grandkids play soccer, baseball, basketball, and volleyball.
He enjoyed travel with Donna and family vacations, making his way to all 50 US States. His favorite trips involved hiking through national parks and bike rides with his wife.
Rick served his communities through the United Way of Northwest Illinois and the Champaign-Urbana Kiwanis Club, serving as President for portions of his time with both organizations.
Rick is survived by his wife of 41 years, Donna; their two sons, Richard and Scott; their daughters-in-law, Britni (Holden) and Haley (Hunziker); and 5 grandkids, Isabella, Landon, Calum, Ellie, and Charleigh. He is also survived by his three sisters, Sandra Potzer, Sarah Nelson, and Susan Bonner, and his half-brother, Jim Kesler. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.