Walter “Walt” Kessler, 95, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2026.

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Walt later made his home in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent much of his adult life building a successful career in sales. In 2018, he and his beloved wife Bunny, relocated to Cary to enjoy retirement and to be closer to family.

A devout Catholic and passionate aviator, Walt found great joy in flying. He began his aviation journey in 1946 and developed a lifelong love for vintage aircraft. Over the years, he owned several planes, with his greatest pride being his 1930s British de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth biplane.

Walt’s commitment to preserving aviation history was extraordinary. In 1981, he was a founding member of the Vintage Aero Association, and in 1998, he helped establish the Poplar Grove Wings & Wheels Museum in Illinois. He served as president of the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010 and was honored with induction into the Hall of Fame in 2013 in recognition of his contributions.

He worked tirelessly to preserve the legacy of vintage aircraft and to honor the pilots who flew them. One of his most cherished moments came in 2025 when his grandson, Nathan, earned his private pilot’s license and later took Walt on a memorable final flight.

Walt was preceded in death by his loving wife, Louise “Bunny” Kessler; his stepson, John Calderone; his brother, John Kessler; and his sister, Eleanor Hysner.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Alivia Foster (Doug); his son, Thomas Kessler; his stepdaughters, Michelle Widmann (Chris) and Antoinette “Toni” Dirkes (Jim); and his sister-in-law, Barbara Kessler. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Grant and Nathan Widmann; Matthew and Aaron Pflum; and Michael, Maria, Angela, William, and Anna Dirkes; along with many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Mother Teresa Catholic Church in Cary, with Father Daniel Oschwald officiating. Interment at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington will be July 7, 2026.