My sincere condolences to Noelle and other members of Ted's family. I had the good fortune to have Ted as a colleague at George Mason for nearly 20 years. I have fond memories of many lunches together with Ted, Lou Buffardi, and Jim Sanford. Ted had a great wit and was a wonderful story teller. One of my favorite pastimes with Ted was when we would reminisce about how many changes there have been in the DC area over the decades, as we both grew up here. Ted was truly one of a kind and he is, and will continue to be, missed by many.

I am saddened to learn of Dr. Gessner's passing. I had two classes which he taught in the late 1970's. I recall his wit and enthusiasm in teaching. God grant you eternal rest, Ted.

I was at St. Jerome's and Gonzaga with Ted (a couple of years ahead) and recently met him at a luncheon in Hyattsville where we had a pleasant talk. I was shocked to learn of his death. His family has all of my sympathies. RIP

Noel and family, my deepest sympathy and condolences you to all for your loss.

I am sorry to learn of the passing of a good man and a classmate at Gonzaga, Class of 1958. Ted and all his family are in my thoughts and prayers. I believe Ted has entered in his new phase of life, filled with Godâ€™s love and peace. May God bless Tedâ€™s family. George

Ted was a great person and friend. We will miss seeing him during our visits to DC and will remember biking with him in Rock Creek Park and along the Potomac. He always told funny stories and even made a profession out of humor. RIP, Ted

Ted was a great neighbor and the rock of our block in Mt. Pleasant for decades. Ted always greeted neighbors with a smile, a quick wit and a wry sense of humor. He will be sorely missed, especially (for me) our shared love of kayaking on the Chesapeake Bay. Condolences to Noel and family.

Ted was a wonderful friend and colleague at Mason for well over 40 years. He was exceptionally generous with his time and a caring soul. I remember well the time when I was recuperating at home from a long hospitalization when he made the trek from DC to my house, stopping to bring along some Peruvian chicken for lunch. To his credit, he made sure that the friendships that developed over a lifetime were maintained post-retirement, coming to campus regularly for lunch and conversation with the "old guard". I treasured each and every one of those times and will miss him terribly. Noel and family--thank you so much for sharing Ted with us--he was a great guy.

Ted was great colleague and friend at GMU. My condolences to his wife Noel and family.

Ted was definitely one of a kind - in all the good ways. As Bob Smith notes above (or maybe below), Ted had a wonderfully irreverent sense of humor that I always enjoyed. I hope he had as much fun in retirement as he seemed to have working at Mason.

I am so sorry for your loss - Ted was a great person and a good friend. I will always remember him as - the first person to make me feel welcome at Mason - a font of wisdom and knowledge on a remarkable range of topics - a fantastic colleague, devoted to this students and very supportive of fellow faculty -a man who loved to laugh and who was irreverent to authority - in our early years, a great tennis partner - one of my very favorite people at Mason. As the acute loss eventually wanes, I hope [and am confident] that you have lots of good memories to comfort you.

This is a real loss to me. Ted and I were in the middle of a spirited conversation on many subjects which he always conducted with good points and wry humor..

OBITUARY

Theodore Gessner, Ph.D.

DeVol Funeral Home

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