Obituary of Edward John Kesgen

. . Edward J. Kesgen - husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend - left this life on Feb. 27, 2012. His death was unexpected, but his life was and will continue to be an inspiration for those who knew him. Ed spent his boyhood in East Rutherford, NJ, graduating from East Rutherford High School. His academic background included environmental studies, philosophy and psychology. He earned his undergraduate degree at Seton Hall University and graduate degrees from Springfield College and Texas A&M University. (Ed's attachment to A&M was extraordinary, from his favorite Texas Aggie belt to his guaranteed attendance at the annual Aggie Muster.) Professionally, Ed was an inspirational speaker, a retired professor and therapist, an educational session facilitator, a former U.S. Naval Officer and an interpretive naturalist. Ed, who also was a pilot, thought of his later years as his final approach to a landing. In those years, he authored two books and developed a blog. His third book was under construction. Ed spent two tours of duty during Vietnam as a U.S. Naval Officer attached to Attack Squadron 94, deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31). He was proud of his son's U.S. Navy service, and of his two nephews with the U.S. Marines. Earlier in his career, Ed worked as an administrator and recreational therapist, with adolescents and children. Later, he held faculty teaching positions at Texas A&M University, Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), Lyndon State College (VT) and Western Carolina University. Ed believed his purpose in life was to elevate the human spirit. In his words, Ed sought to "ease the burden of those in physical, mental or spiritual disharmony by helping them to encounter the magic and wonder of their being." Over a span of 30 years, Ed shared his ideas about self-empowerment, environmental harmony and spirit-mind-body healing through over 300 seminars, conferences and keynote addresses. His message of joy, hope, optimism and celebration touched thousands of lives. Another author, in speaking of Ed, referred to him as "a gentle being (who) appears in our lives to share words of profound insight." Ed also believed in a shared purpose for us all: "The reason you have taken birth on this planet is to be happy - to love and learn from loving relationships." Always something of a computer geek, Ed began a blog in 2009 and shared his positive and life-affirming messages with those he called his Circle of Friends. His final posting was about angels among us, an ironic and appropriate message from a man who transcended his earthly being. Ed is survived by his wife, Annette; his daughter, Jenna; his son, Carl, who with his wife Lori, brought Ed his first grandchild, Carlie; and by his step-daughter, Erin. Ed is also survived by his brother, Bill, with his wife Mary and son Jeff; and by his aunt, Dorothy. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and by his daughter Lauren. Ed's first book - "To Carlie, With Love, From Grandad" - was inspired by a desire to connect across generations in a lasting way. The subtitle was one that only Ed would write: "Personal Reflections on an EarthSchool Journey." His hope for that book to Carlie is similar to what his words mean for many: "Long after I am gone, may the words in 'To Carlie' serve as a compass to help my granddaughter fill her sails and navigate the seas she will encounter on her journey." Ed lived a full and rich life, and he viewed death as a natural transition, without fear. One of his often-repeated quotes was from Welsh poet Dylan Thomas: "And death shall have no dominion." Those who knew and loved Ed are welcome to attend his EarthSchool Graduation, a gathering of love honoring Ed's life. The gathering will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 25, in the picnic area at Western Carolina University. Memorials may be made to the Ed Kesgen memorial scholarship at SOAR ( www.soarnc.org), the Vietnam Veterans of America or the Wounded Warriors Project.