Tacoma Weekly 05.19.19

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Because Community Matters.

TACOMAWEEKLY NEWS FREE • SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2019

WWW.TACOMAWEEKLY.COM

COMMUNITY MOURNS THE PASSING OF PETER ROBERT KESLING, M.D. Devoted pediatrician left a legacy of kindness, healing and new life

COURTESY OF BRIDGET ADAMS

Pete with his four children: Michael Kesling, Peter John Kesling, Molly Hernandez and Bridget Adams (son-in-law Clark Hernandez) at Louie G’s, owned by Peter John Kesling and one of Dr. Pete’s favorite hangouts.

BY MATT NAGLE matt@tacomaweekly.com

Tacoma’s healthcare community, and all of humanity for that matter, lost an angel on earth April 29 with the passing of Peter Robert Kesling, M.D. Here

among his loving family and friends for a short 75 years, Dr. Kesling was the type of man who you’d always remember from the very first time you met him. He delivered so many thousands of babies during his 40-plus years in practice that his wife and family told the Tacoma Weekly that

they lost count, sharing a laugh over it in true fashion of anyone who spent time with the fine doctor – humor was his calling card. More laughter came when his daughter Bridget Adams told of how he was like a celebrity when going out to dinner or any public place: “Someone would always come up and say, ‘You delivered my son!’ or ‘You delivered my daughter!’ He was stalked!” And stalked in a good way, because people brought pure joy to Dr. Kesling, as he did for them. An outpouring of heart-felt condolences came immediately at his passing from people from all walks of life – from nurses to parents who hold fond memories of Dr. Kesling in the delivery room or hospital room. More than 170 messages were posted on Adams’ Facebook page, many more through private messages to Adams, and we are sharing just some of them here (see sidebar) to give readers a clear picture of what this blessed man brought to the City of Destiny and the people who live here. Below is Dr. Kesling’s full obituary from his family, which couldn’t be writ-

u See KESLING / page 7

Loved ones share fond memories of Dr. Peter Kesling on daughter Bridget Adams Facebook page “I was just getting off a long shift. Peter acknowledged me (I was in my going home clothes). He said, “Oh, nice to see you with clothes on.” You guessed it – it was a rather full elevator of visitors! I didn’t try to explain; we both giggled and he gave me a wink.” – Chris Pennell “He was my Dr. when I was pregnant with my daughter. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I had the shoe that he gives out with your child’s name and date of birth. I loved that. My dad passed of cancer in ’06. I understand what you are going through and my heart is with you.” – Robyn May “I have known Sweet Pete for 17 years now. Not only did he deliver my brother, but my oldest son also. His love for his family and friends and of course Notre Dame is written all over him. Pete’s smile can light up a room. He will truly be missed and of course hearing him say, “Oh baby, oh baby” when he would leave.” – Jessie Marzano

u See MEMORIES / page 7

ARTS, SCIENCE AND WATER FUN – TACOMA OCEAN FEST RETURNS Celebrate, learn and get inspired to protect the ocean at this free festival at the Foss

Whale ballet. Hands-on ocean science. Kayaks. Giant orca puppets. A massive interactive mural based on Native American stories. A human orca mural on the beach. After a huge success in 2018, Tacoma Ocean Fest returns for the second year with even more arts, science, and water fun to help everyone celebrate the ocean, learn about its threats, and get inspired to protect it. The free festival will open with a blessing from the Puyallup Tribe and Canoe Family. This year the free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 9, with returning favorites and brand-new experiences for all ages to celebrate World Oceans Day weekend. Tacoma Ocean Fest is an official Orca Month event. Local and national artists, musicians, dancers, youth poets, and even an aerialist combine with food trucks, face painting and more to highlight the beauty and fragility of the ocean and its creatures. On June 8, a beach

Rock Cats Rescue Presents

clean-up will feature a human orca mural created by participants and viewable from the air. Lead artists: Tacoma-based RYAN! Feddersen (Confederated Tribes of the Colville) will create a giant wall mural of “Coyote, Fox and Whale,” with coyote-bone crayons for festival-goers to color in the story. Seattle painter and long-distance swimmer Lauren Boilini will make a series of nine-foot-high panels of humpback whales, immersing viewers in vivid, tumbling blue watercolor. Both art displays will remain up through August. Suspended from the Seaport’s 100-year-old beams will be “Turtle Wave,” a community art project begun by Metro Parks Tacoma and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, made of hundreds of paper turtles “swimming” on cascading blue fabric waves. All artworks are expertly curated by Lisa Kinoshita.

Speakers: The morning will feature three “OceanX” speakers in 10-minute talks: artist Lauren Boilini, ocean plastics activist Ken Campbell of the Ikkatsu Project, and marine biologist/DJ Orian Grant. Youth Story Finalists: In the afternoon, the Ocean Fest Youth Story Contest (sponsored by Tacoma Sunrise Rotary) will culminate with local youth finalists reading or screening their poetry, graph, or film, with $1,000 in cash prizes. Councilmember Ryan Mello will present awards. Performing artists: This year’s line-up includes electric cellist Gretchen Yanover, Gary Stroutsos on world flutes, singer/songwriter Kim Archer, percussion duo Miho & Diego, Illumni Chorale, a reprise of the hugely popular “Whale Song” by Tacoma City Ballet, West African dance by T.U.P.A.C., contemporary dance by Emily u See OCEAN FEST / page 2

Carco Theater, Renton, WA May 21 - 23 Tickets cost $25 - $45 and can be purchased by visiting www.rockcatsrescue.org

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