Karl David Kaessler, Sr. of Eastchester, NY, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 20, 2025. He was 78 years old.

Karl was born on April 15, 1946, the youngest child of Dr. Henry and Grace (née Parent) Kaessler of Bronxville, NY. He was a graduate of Bronxville High School, class of ’64, and the University of Vermont, class of ’68. After graduation, he worked at a local television affiliate in Burlington, VT, kickstarting a career in TV that spanned more than 36 years, most of which was spent with NBC at its world headquarters in Rockefeller Center. In 1971, Karl met Carol Strawbridge, who worked as a nurse in his father’s pediatric practice. Although Dr. Kaessler warned Carol that she was too good for his son, Carol and Karl fell in love, were married at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe in 1980, and went on to have three children: Heidi, Karl Jr., and Kristen. Carol and Karl raised their family in Eastchester, NY, but every summer was spent in what Karl called “God’s Country,” the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. He loved nothing more than spending long summer days swimming and boating on Seymour Lake, repairing the dock or the boardwalk, cooking a big family meal with the radio playing, and ending the night gazing up at the stars – or even the Northern Lights. Karl also loved playing and listening to music – especially the Beatles and classic rock – getting all the right answers on “Jeopardy!”, and racing cars, both as driver and spectator... but mostly as driver.

At NBC, Karl started off as “vacation relief,” which allowed him to gain experience in many different roles. Over his long career, he devoted hard work and long hours to sports, entertainment, and news, covering just about every big event of the time. His assignments included “NBC Nightly News,” “Today,” Saturday Night Live,” “Dateline NBC,” and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, among others, not to mention countless baseball, basketball, and football games, tennis matches, World Series games - the list goes on. One of his favorite assignments was the 1985 French Open, his ride to which was none other than the Concorde. His efforts were recognized with two Emmy awards: the first for videotape replay in the 1986 World Series, and the second for graphic design on “NBC Nightly News.” Karl was forced into early retirement after a debilitating stroke in 2004, after which he received the very best of care from the love of his life: his indefatigable and endlessly patient wife, Carol.

Karl is survived by his beloved Carol, their children, Heidi, Karl (Dana), and Kristen, and two cherished grand-dogs, Reese and Mariah.

Visitation will be held at Westchester Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Seymour Lake Association

Seymour Lake Association

or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington, Vt

Ronald McDonald House - Burlington, Vermont

When you think of Karl, pour yourself a glass and turn up that classic rock.