Gerald E. Kusler

Gerald Eugene Kusler, 83, of DeKalb Junction, NY died Saturday, June 20, 2009. He was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, on February 22, 1926, the son of the late Frederick and Lorna Warsing Kusler. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II in the Pacific Corridor as a radio operator. After the war he received his GED and went to the University of Iowa where he received a BA in 1949 and a MA in 1950. He earned additional college credits from North Central College, the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and Northwestern University where he was a John Hay Fellow.

His career in education included positions as an English teacher in Aurora and Hinsdale, Illinois and Department Head in Hinsdale. He was a high school principal in Webster Groves, Missouri, and East Lansing, Michigan, where he served from 1966 - 1968 and 1969 -1979. In East Lansing, he was also Director of Instruction from 1979 - 1984. He retired from the Michigan Public schools in 1984 to become Assistant Superintendent in South Jefferson Central Schools in Adams, NY. In 1991 he became Superintendent of Schools in North Warren Central School District in Chestertown, NY. After his retirement from North Warren in 1996, he did a number of interim education positions including Principal at the BOCES Alternative High School in Saratoga Springs, NY, Secondary Principal in Whitehall, NY, Superintendent in Clifton-Fine Central School in Star Lake, NY, and Elementary Principal and Coordinator of Special Education in Gouverneur, NY.

His survivors include his wife of 25 years, Ann Adams of DeKalb Junction, NY and five children, Jay and his wife, Sophia (Ike), Laura Kusler, and Tod, all of East Lansing, Michigan; Brent and his wife, Jackie, of Onondaga, Michigan, and Dane and his wife, Sue, of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and six grandchildren.

There will be no calling hours and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made in his memory to the East Lansing Educational Foundation Endowment Fund, 841 Timberlane, Suite A, East Lansing, MI 48823, North Warren Central School Dollars for Scholars, Chestertown, NY 12817, or North Country Public Radio, Canton, NY 13617.