Earle R. Kessler, a founding director of Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd., passed away on March 30, 2015. Earle and six other directors – Herbert Ostrow, Bernie Reisin, Bernie Berk, Al Abrams, Kal Shiner and Mel Strauss – founded the firm in 1977. Earle was an active member of the firm, serving on the firm’s Personnel Committee, and an early adopter of technology. Earle retired from the firm on June 1, 1993.

Prior to founding ORBA, Earle was a partner with Max Becker & Co., which was acquired by Laventhol and Horwath in February of 1969. While at Laventhol, he was a member of the firm’s personnel and practice development committees.

Earle attended Roger C. Sullivan High School in Chicago (class of 1945) and served in the U.S. Army. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951 from the University of Southern California and a CPA certificate from the University of Illinois in 1954. He also earned a Certificate in Financial Planning in 1990.

Earle will be remembered for his avid interest in investments and the stock market, as well as his passion for writing short skits for the firm annual outing. He was a respected mentor and a friend, someone you could talk to about work or personal issues. He always had a positive outlook on life. After retiring, he took up golf and traveled with his wife Dolores. He also enjoyed playing the accordion and Scrabble.

Earle was married to Dolores (nee Finkel) in 1967. Together, they are the loving parents of six children, Richard Kessler (Wendy), Ira Kessler, Michele Erwin-Negron (Joe), Linda Dawe (Charles), Elliot Weiss, and Karen Weiss-Slutsky. Earle was a proud and loving grandfather of David (Tina), Eric (Katherine), and Jared Negron, Natalie and Hannah Dawe, Kevin Weiss (Jennifer) and Randi Weiss Harris (Joshua), Sarah and Andrew Slutsky, and Matthew Kessler; and a beloved great grandfather of Austin and Riley.