By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MONFORT HEIGHTS - Fred "Fritz" Kessler, owner and operator of Fred Procter Co., a printing and bookbinding business, and former owner of Glenmore Bowl in Cheviot, died of a stroke May 11 at Christ Hospital. He was 76.

Mr. Kessler's grandfather bought the Fred Procter Co., which had been in business in Cincinnati since the 1870s, in the late 1920s, said Fred Kessler's son, Richard W. Kessler of Covington.

"He was a go-getter," his son said. "He was very gregarious (and) pulled pranks on people. You always knew when he entered a room."

A Westwood native, Mr. Kessler graduated from Elder High School in 1946 and attended the University of Cincinnati. He served in the Army from 1950 to 1952 at Fort Benning, Ga. during the Korean War.

After his hitch was up, he joined his father at Fred Procter Co. as a salesman.

He took over the business in 1976 and operated it until his death.

He owned and operated Glenmore Bowl from 1970 until 1975.

An avid bowler, Mr. Kessler was a member of the St. Catherine League for 58 years and was elected to the Greater Cincinnati Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

He was also a charter member and on the board of Miami View Golf Club in Miamitown, where he initiated the Founder's Day Hall of Fame some 15 years ago.

"He and I won the Metropolitan Handicap Championship in 1992," said his friend, Wally Gosser of Colerain Township. He estimated they played together in more than 150 tournaments over the years.

Mr. Kessler was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to his son, survivors include: his wife of 53 years, Patricia Mueller Kessler; three other sons, Fred P. Kessler of Monfort Heights, Leonard J. Kessler of Reading, and Robert P. Kessler of Loveland; and seven grandchildren.

Services were held. Burial was at St. Joseph (old) Cemetery in Price Hill.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com