David E. Kaser

David E. Kaser, Ph.D., age 93, of Bloomington, died at his residence Friday evening. Born March 12, 1924 in Mishawaka, Indiana, he was the son of Arthur L. and Loah (Steele) Kaser. Dr. Kaser held an A.B. degree in English from Houghton College, a master’s degree in English from Notre Dame and an AMLS and Ph.D. in library science from the University of Michigan. He was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Indiana University. Both at home and abroad, Dr. Kaser led a more varied existence than the title “librarian” might lead one to expect. At home in the United States he was both an administrator and teacher. He consulted on library-related matters on four continents and researched and published more than a dozen monographs and three hundred articles. His autobiography, “Just Lucky, I Guess My Adventurous Life as a Hoosier Librarian” traces his odyssey from his Indiana childhood, through his World War II service where he fought in combat both in France and Germany, thence to library work at Ball State, Michigan, Washington, Vanderbilt and later as director of libraries at Cornell universities. While serving in the administrative positions at these universities he worked on foreign assignments from Ireland to Laos. All this lead up to his teaching in the School of Library and Information Science at Indiana University where he was much loved and respected by his students. He also authored an additional thirteen books and served in many learned and professional societies. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship and numerous other research grants.

Dr. Kaser is survived by one son, John Andrew (companion- Gina Nagy) Kaser, of Bloomington, one daughter, Kathleen “Kathi” Abrell, of Bloomington; three granddaughters, Daphne Rose Watts, Eden (Kevin) Slaughter and Laine (fiancé- Loren Clark) Abrell, three great-grandsons, Noah Watts, Westin Watts and Tucker Watts and three step-granddaughters, Kristal (James) Richardson, Chastity (Jermaine) Millard and Rebecha Gillespie. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jane Ann (Jewell) Kaser, one brother, Kent Kaser and one sister, Barbara Standiford.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday (04/01) at the Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home; 4150 E. Third St. Friends may visit the family on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A private family burial will follow in Valhalla Memory Gardens where the Monroe Veterans Honor Guard will perform military rites.