Hans Otto Kessler (later Dr. John Otto Kessler) was born in Vienna in 1928 to Alice Blanca Neuhut and Jakob Kessler. The family relocated to Baden, approximately thirty-five miles from Vienna when Hans (Hansi) was four-years old. His maternal grandfather retired from his role as the sales director of a light bulb company, and bought a hotel. Kessler lived in this hotel as a child where his mother cooked, and his father managed the expenses. Growing up, Kessler knew of his Jewish identity, but his family practiced Judaism socially rather than religiously. He was exposed to a variety of religions because his mother came from a predominantly Catholic family, and his maternal grandmother studied Buddhism. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis gained control of Austria, Kessler’s father was arrested and detained in Vienna. Kessler, along with his mother, and maternal grandmother, were baptized as Lutherans, potentially an effort of protection from Nazi control. Kessler’s mother, a resourceful woman who enjoyed reading English detective novels, used her language skills to secure a job in England. She received the position immediately, and managed to free her husband from prison. The Kesslers overcame the risky journey to England, narrowly escaping patrolmen at the border between Germany and Belgium. From Belgium, they boarded a ferry to England. In England, Kessler’s mother worked as a chef, and his father earned a living as a butler. Kessler assimilated and learned English at a boarding school near Sussex. John Kessler and his family immigrated to the United States in 1940. They lived in New York for one month. Kessler’s mother wanted to live in a warmer climate, and the family decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida. Kessler attended boarding school in Connecticut, and later moved to Jacksonville after his parents established themselves financially. Back in Vienna, Kessler’s grandparents could no longer manage the hotel, and felt threatened by Nazi control. They escaped to Cuba and joined Kessler’s family in 1941. Kessler attended high school in Jacksonville and was a stellar student, earning a scholarship to Columbia University. His father passed away in 1945, and his mother joined him in New York. Kessler earned a degree in physics, later achieving a PhD. He married his wife, Eva, in 1950. He began working at the University of Arizona in 1966, where he is currently a researcher and professor Emeritus. Alice Blanca Neuhut and Jakob Kessler lived in Vienna. Their son, Hans Otto Kessler (later Dr. John Otto Kessler), was born in 1928. Alice's father retired from his role as the sales director of a light bulb company, and bought a hotel. The Kessler family lived in this hotel where Alice cooked, and Jakob managed the expenses. Alice came from a predominantly Catholic family, and her mother studied Buddhism. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis gained control of Austria, Jakob Kessler was arrested and detained in Vienna. Alice, Hansi, and her mother had been baptized as Lutherans, and Alice, who enjoyed reading English detective novels, used her language skills to secure a job in England. She received the position immediately, and managed to free her husband from prison. The Kesslers overcame the risky journey to England, narrowly escaping patrolmen at the border between Germany and Belgium. From Belgium, they boarded a ferry to England. In England, Alice worked as a chef, and Jakob earned a living as a butler. They immigrated to the United States in 1940 and lived in New York for one month. Alice wanted to live in a warmer climate, so the family decided to relocate to Jacksonville, Florida. Back in Vienna, Alice's parents could no longer manage the hotel, and felt threatened by Nazi control. They escaped to Cuba and joined their family in the US in 1941. After Jakob died in 1945, Alice joined her son back in New York.
FILM ID 4538: Teil I. Lizzy Film Produktion. Mitglied des Klubs der Kinoamateure Osterreichs. At a train station, men in uniform waving flags. The frame pulls back as if the filmmaker is on a train leaving the station. Image of a boat on the water being seen through binoculars. On a boat, Hansi is looking over the railing and waving to the camera. Hansi is joined by his Father. “Hansi’s erste Reise”. 01:01:31 “1931.” “I Teil" Hansi ist schon 2 1/2 jähre alt.” “Italien Sein Reisezei" “Am Strand von Laurana” Homes by the large lake with mountains in the background. “Ausblick auf’s Meer” Footage of several small boats on the water. “Die Feisenkuste” Two men in a rowboat and a group of men and women are lounging on the rocks by the water. “Der Weg ins Bad.” “Die Strand Promenade” Hansi’s father and Hansi walking along a pathway and looking over the railing. 01:03:35 Hansi wearing a white hat playing in the water by the shore. “Nur Vorsicht!” Hansi standing in the water and sitting on the edge of the water. “Hansi Schwimmt” 01:04:46 Hansi playing in the water holding on to his Mother and then holding onto his Father in the water. “Ringelspiel” Hansi being spun in the water. “Im tiefen wasser” Hansi holding onto a rope and laughing. “Die Wasserratte” Hansi wearing a straw hat splashing in the water. “Die Sache wachst ihm uber den Kopf”. Hansi wearing a straw hat and playing in the water. Three women sitting in bathing suits in the water at the shore. Hansi walking up and down stone steps. “Hansi denkt an zu Hause.” 01:07:51 Hansi pointing to his forehead by the stone steps.Hansi holding a rock-like object in the water. A man sitting in shallow water and Hansi is splashing him. “Hier wird fotographiert.” Hansi is holding on to an object and playing with it. Woman doing a handstand in the water and a group of fellow swimmers watches. Hansi holding black bathing suit and playing in the water. “Vom Bad nach Haufe.” “Hansi macht sich’s bequem.” Hansi on his Father’s shoulders walking on boat, then walking along a pathway and up a set of stairs. FILM ID 4539: Teil II. Handwritten titles in German:"Hansi erste Reis" “II. Teil.” “Nach Abbazia.” 01:00:18 Image of a large ship. People standing on a walkway/pier overlooking the water. A building is in the background. A boat sailing in the water. 01:00:32 Hansi and his Father walking and holding hands. A boat sails toward the dock. A man in a nautical uniform on the pier while the boat approaches. People sailing on a boat. “Im Kurpark von Abbazia.” Hansi walking with his Father along a tree lined pathway. Hansi runs towards the camera. “Kleine Rast” Hansi sitting on a bench with his Father eating ice cream. “Abbazia” “Hotel Quareno” 01:02:10 Large majestic hotel with mountains in the background. “Tanz Beim 5 Uhr Tee” Men in suits and women in dresses sitting at tables dining outdoors and dancing on a large patio overlooking the water. Hansi sitting at a table with his Father, who is wearing a striped suit jacket. “Aussicht von der Terrasse” Terrace over looking the water. “Motorskoring” Waterskier. “Mit der Kamera auf Mowenjagd.” Large homes overlooking the water and birds flying over the water. “Das Flugzeug Brioni-Fume” Seaplane landing on the water. “Auf Dem Dampfer” Hansi looking out on the water while riding in a boat. Hansi is standing on a bench and holding on to the railing. Hansi then wears his Father’s striped suit jacket. He is smiling and walks towards the camera. 01:06:05 “Wieder am Strand.” Hansi playing in the water and waving at the camera, wearing a straw hat."Ein bisschen training.” Lizzy swimming in the water. “ In allen Lagen gerocht.” Hansi wearing a straw playing in the shallow water. Hansi holding on to a rope in the water and smiling at the camera."Moskiena” 01:10:30 “In Medea.” Hansi throwing stones in the water. “Der Monte Maggiore” Footage of mountains. “Abendfrienden.” Hansi on a boat. View of the lake and sailboats on the water. Ende.
Hansi's first vacation (2 reels)