Daniel "Dan" Kossler
1949-2021 - Army
United
States Army Vietnam War Veteran and retired IBMer, Daniel James Kossler
Jr.’s love of life and family didn’t come to an end with his death. Dan
passed away on January 22, 2021 at the age of 71 after years of suffering
from complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis. He showed courage in the
face of pain, with little complaint, and stayed strong through the end.
Dan was surrounded by his wife, children, and their families who will
continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Dan
was a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Dan. He loved a
quiet evening on his deck with a glass of scotch in hand, as anyone who
knows him would agree. Dan was a shining light of any gathering, small
or large, due to his quick wit and amazing ability to entertain a group
with hilarious anecdotes from his everyday life. Dan was the fifth child
of Daniel and Melba (Fessenden) Kossler born on March 8, 1949 in
Pittsburgh, PA. After graduating from high school, he began college
briefly, but then enlisted in the Army. After graduation from Flight
Operations School, he received orders to go to Vietnam assigned to the
478th Aviation Company, 159th Aviation Battalion of the 101st Airborne
Division. During his time as a Specialist 5th Class, Dan provided flight
operation support by decoding daily mission direction and briefing
pilots. The aircraft associated with this unit was the CH54 TRHE Sky
Crane which was able to lift very heavy loads. It supported fire bases
with artillery, ammunition and provided recovery services for downed
aircraft. Dan told many stories about his time in Vietnam and his flight
operations assignment in Fort Rucker, Alabama and weekends spent in
Panama City, FL. Dan completed his Bachelor’s degree at California
University of Pennsylvania in 1973 and moved to Northern VA. There he
met his soulmate Sharon (Frame) Kossler in January 1974 and they married
on June 14, 1975. They spent 45 years together laughing and committed
to their two children. From a young age, Dan loved to fish. He had a
huge interest in the Civil War and loved to visit and tour various
battlefields. He was a fan of all Pittsburgh teams and enjoyed golfing
later in life. Dan worked at the IBM Corporation for 30 years which
included manager of various departments at the Washington, DC plant and
Manassas, VA. When Dan transferred to Raleigh, NC from Austin TX, he had
the opportunity to work with teams in Grennock, Scotland, Guadalajara,
Mexico and Sorocaba, Brazil. Dan and Sharon retired to Ocean Isle Beach,
NC where they lived for several years and became very active in the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Calabash Post #7288. Dan served as officer for 4 years and Commander from 2018-2019. He was very proud of his military service and wanted to do what was needed to offer
support for all veterans and their families.Due to his failing health,
he moved to Jupiter, FL to be near family. He is survived by his wife,
children and their spouses: Daniel & Lucia Kossler and Kimberly
Kossler & Terence Foster and three grandchildren: Brennan &
Cecelia Foster and David Cash Kossler. Dan was from a large family and
is survived by his sisters Margaret Schlottman and Barbara McFeeley
(husband Jack), step-brother Tom Connelly (wife Betty), step-sister
Joanne Oechslein (husband Don) and step-sister Mary Beth Hart (husband
Bill). He had numerous nephews and nieces including one great-great
niece. Dan’s best furry friend was his dog, Sophie, rescued from a
shelter who always came to him when he said "let me see those pretty
eyes”. He was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother Agnes
Connelly Kossler and his sisters, Jean Sieber and Andi Collins.
Arrangements are with Legacy Options Funeral and Cremation Services,
Naples FL (https:// memorials.legacyoptions.com/
