[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 109 (Wednesday, August 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1547-E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ON THE RETIREMENT OF DR. KELVIN KESLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 5, 1998

  Mr. SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary contributions of a good friend, Dr. Kelvin Kesler, upon 
his retirement after nearly 30 years of providing outstanding medical 
care to the families of Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1970, Dr. Kesler 
opened the Fort Collins Women's Clinic, a facility offering the very 
best in obstetrical and gynecological medicine. Under his professional 
care, this small practice grew dramatically and now has 15 care 
providers, 65 employees, and a laboratory occupying a two story 
complex.
  The medical advances Dr. Kesler helped pioneer, as well as keeping up 
with the latest medical breakthroughs in his field, are a testament to 
his remarkable scholarship and professionalism. Performing outpatient 
surgery in a state-of-the-art facility is a far cry from the days of 
home visits in the early 1970's. Through it all, Dr. Kesler succeeded 
and remained true to himself. Now delivering the children of children 
he once delivered, Dr. Kesler has enjoyed, in his own words, ``a very 
rewarding career.'' While almost everything else has changed, Dr. 
Kesler's compassion and personal touch have not.
  What makes Dr. Kesler truly remarkable is that he has always been 
committed to serving his family, community, and country. He was the 
first married U.S. physician sent to Vietnam. After serving in Vietnam 
and Japan from 1961-1963, he continued in the service of his country in 
the OB/GYN Department of the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, CA, 
until 1969. Returning to Colorado, he quickly became a valued member of 
the University of Colorado's School of Medicine OB/GYN Department. In 
addition, during this same period he was heavily involved with Poudre 
Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. During all of this activity, he 
still managed to start the Fort Collins Women's Clinic. A true leader 
in his profession, Dr. Kesler served with distinction as the president 
of the Colorado Obstetric and

[[Page E1548]]

gynecology Society. In addition, he was named the University of 
Colorado School of Medicine's 1996 Alumnae of the Year.
  More than all the accolades and accomplishments, Dr. Kesler prides 
himself most on his family. His wife, JoAnn, and his children, Thomas, 
Jeffrey, and Kelley, he says continue to be his greatest source of 
encouragement and satisfaction. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay 
tribute to this generous, talented, and outstanding man who has given 
so much to his family, his many friends, the community in which he 
lives and the Nation.

                          ____________________