Theodore Kersker

Theodore Miller Kersker 95 of Akron died November 10 2009 at Chapel Hill Retirement Community in Canal Fulton Ohio. Born on April 22 1914 in Norwood OH Ted received a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. There he worked part time as a 'co-op' student held an assistantship in the chemical engineering department was a class officer commanding officer in the ROTC He raised leading the marching band to an art form as drum major frequently receiving equal billing with the football team in the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper. He joined Firestone Tire in Akron in 1938. He was promptly recruited to serve as drum major for the University of Akron band to perform at the brand new Rubber Bowl. He later became the head of fabric and adhesives development at Goodyear where he was listed as an inventor on patents held by that company. His passion for discovery also characterized his personal life. He loved travel adventure: tents in an Indian tiger preserve learning the steps to local dances in Latin America supposedly the oldest person to swing down a rope zip line in the cloud forest treetops. He was an enthusiastic sail-boater who shared skills learned as a boy at Walloon Lake MI with his grandchildren here at the Turkeyfoot Lake Island Club. His wife Gretchen and his daughter Judge Linda Kersker preceded Ted in death. He is survived by his wife Alice Kiester Becker Kersker; children Bonnie (Vincent) Johnson Suzanne (Norman) Westerhold; grandchildren Ted (Kathy) Johnson Beth (Eric Draeger) Johnson Wendy (John) Cayer Lisa (Jason) Lersch; great grandchildren Jack Emily and Charlie Johnson Abigail and Nicole Draeger Alex Cayer Holden Lersch; son -in-law J. Wayne Baker; stepchildren Jim (Helen ) Becker Janet (Joseph Zolyak) Becker Joanne (Michael Barry) Becker; step-grandchildren Andrew and James Zolyak Caitlin Barry Linda (John) Tustin Susan (David) Ross Sarah (Peter Geissert) Baker Naomi Baker; step-greatgrandchildren Alex and Kevin Ross Jozeff Gebolys Lila Geissert.; Nieces and nephews including William (Gayle) Sherman. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday November 14 2009 at 4:00 PM. at Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St. (across from U. of Akron stadium) Friends may call at the Hummel Funeral home from 3:30-4:00 on November 14. (A special separate service will also be held that morning at 11:00 at Chapel Hill for members of the Kroft Commons/Chapel Hill community.) Memorial donations may be made to the Chapel Hill Retirement Community Benevolent Care Fund. 12200 Strausser St. NW Canal Fulton OH 44614.