William Henry Kessler left a legacy of modernist designs, historic restoration and stately homes.
He was born in Reading, Pa., on Dec. 15, 1924. Following a stint with the U.S. Air Force from 1943 to 1946, Kessler graduated from the Chicago Institute of Design in 1948. In 1950, he completed his master's at Harvard University, where he studied under Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius. From there, he moved to Michigan to work for the firm of Leinweber, Yamasaki & Hellmuth, where he worked with modernist master Minoru Yamasaki.
After Yamasaki struck out on his own and Leinweber, Yamasaki & Hellmuth came to an end in 1955, Kessler started the firm Meathe, Kessler & Associates with architect Philip J. Meathe. This new partnership focused mostly on designing houses, such as a two-story home for renowned Detroit architecture writer and researcher W. Hawkins Ferry, author of "The Buildings of Detroit," built in 1964.
Four years later, Meathe left to join the legendary Detroit firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, and Kessler rebranded the firm as William Kessler & Associates. In 1975, Kessler designed one of his most iconic - if not controversial - designs, the Kresge-Ford Building on the campus of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. This building has been nicknamed the "Tinker Toy Building" because of its appearance. Four years later, Kessler saw two more landmarks open: The Detroit Science Center and Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Kessler also handled the master plan for Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., and designed the School of Public Health at Harvard University, his alma mater.
But he didn't just design buildings, he restored them. In 1988, Kessler spearheaded the historic restoration of the Fox Theatre - perhaps his most beloved contribution to the world of architecture in Detroit. He also led the adaptive resue of the Detroit Cornice and Slate Company Building downtown.
In 1999, at 75, Kessler's firm was reorganized as Kessler/Francis/Cardoza Architects.
Kessler died at age 77 on Nov. 16, 2002. Over his career, he and his firm won more than 50 awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). His papers were donated to the Archives of Michigan in Lansing in 2013.