Eight Bells, Bruce Kessler
Joan Conover | Published on 4/6/2024
Bruce Kessler, a lifelong adventurer, left his mark as a winning professional automobile racer, a veteran Hollywood television and movie director, and one of the first American yachtsmen to circumnavigate the globe as captain of a motoryacht, died today at 88 years old. Born in Seattle,he lived most of his life in California, and died at his home in Marina del Rey. But he was never more at home than when he was aboard his boat at sea or in port.
Directing films and TV series in Hollywood was Bruce's vocation, but boats and voyaging were never far from his mind. Bruce was named Passagemaker of the Year by Trawlerworld in 1998 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Passagemaker magazine in 2011. He was also a member of the Ocean Cruising Club, a longtime member of Del Rey Yacht Club (Marina del Rey), Southwestern Yacht Club (San Diego), Marlin Club (San Diego),and the Tuna Club (Avalon, Catalina Island), and Honorary Commodore of the Seven Seas Cruising Association. Milt Baker