Robert Albert Kessler III, 73, of Hallettsville, went to be with our Lord on July 10, 2016 peacefully at home. He was born on April 19, 1943 to Robert Albert Kessler Jr. and Bessie Mae Douglas Kessler in Galveston, Texas. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6382, Hallettsville Masonic Lodge #80, American Legion Hudgeons Post #230 and Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville.

Robert graduated from Ball High School in Galveston, Texas in 1963. He soon was drafted to the US Army and served from 1964-1966, fought in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in December of 1970. He earned the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense service medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and was acknowledged for being an expert rifleman.

On, February, 25, 1967, Robert married the love of his life Patricia Ann Gilbert Kessler at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Galveston Texas. They lived in La Marque, Texas and owned a liquor store in Galveston, Texas, until moving to his family homestead in Sublime, on June 2, 1979. He started his own A/C and refrigeration business, called Hallettsville A/C and Refrigeration, and operated until going to work for Lavaca County as the OSSI inspector and Emergency Management Coordinator. After working for Lavaca County, he took a position that allowed him to travel Texas with the Texas Association of Counties, where he inspected county buildings. He later went to work for Tex-Tan Western Leather in Yoakum, where he retired as the Maintenance Supervisor. After his retirement, he enjoyed taking care of his cattle, making hay, working on the farm, spending time with his beloved four legged girls "Daisy and Zadie", fishing, and going hunting in Fort Stockton with his TAC buddies, as well as spending all the time he could with his family. He just this past Easter completed his Sacraments and became a Catholic.

Robert is survived by: his wife of 49 ½ years, Patricia Gilbert Kessler; daughters, Donna Cruise of Helena, Montana, Christine Machart & husband Kevin of Hallettsville, and Bobbie Sue Jalufka and husband Mark of Shiner; sister Bobbie Jean Hoffman of Galveston; brother Walter Wayne Kessler of Texas City; 6 grandchildren, Kayla Marie Terrio, Brooke Machart, Toni Machart, Brynn DeBord, Kaid DeBord, and Easton Jalufka; 4 Great-Grandchildren; 2 nephews, Michael Robert Sipula and Stanley Joseph Sipula of Galveston; and his beloved four legged daughters Daisy and Zadie.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, and brothers-in-law; Stanley Sipula and Edward Hoffman.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Friday, July 15, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation: 4 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home with Rosary starting at7 pm. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: John Ashley, Kevin Machart, Mark Jalufka, Mike Sipula, Paul Anthony, and Kevin Anthony. Honorary Pallbearers: Christine Machart, Bobbie Sue Jalufka, Brooke Machart, Toni Machart, Brynn DeBord, Kaid DeBord, Easton Jalufka, Joe Sipula, Roy Anthony, Jack Clark, Bill Grafe, Don Jones, members of VFW Post 6382, and Masonic Lodge 80. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, VFW Post 6382, or Donor's Choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.