Herbert Kasle

On Friday, November 6, 2020, Mr. Herbert David Kasle (Herb), loving and devoted
husband, father of three, grandfather of five and great grandfather of six, passed away
in his sleep at the age of 93.
Herb was born on April 3, 1927 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Jacob and Raechel (Neifeld)
Kasle. His father Jacob forged a path to America at the turn of the 20th century to build
a home far from the complex unrest for Jewish people in Eastern Europe. With Yiddish
as his first language and the chutzpah of an immigrant, he became a successful
entrepreneur as a scrap metal recycler (ahead of his time) owning the business Jacob
Kasle and Sons where Herb and his brothers would all serve as executives. Later,
Yiddish words and phrases could be heard from Herb, though little more than Yinglish
that has become part of the American vernacular.
Herb’s family moved from Toledo to the Meridian Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis
in 1941. He was active in social clubs as a transfer student to Shortridge High School
and a member of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. Herb received his business
degree from Indiana University and the University of Missouri. As a businessman, he
had a dynamic career with J. Kasle and Sons and later as a realtor.
Herb’s greatest joy in life was his family and his 70 year marriage. On September 3,
1950 he married Anita Lois Goldberg, daughter of Myer and Ethel (Margolis) Goldberg,
at her family home in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was never quite as persistent as
he was when he repeatedly asked Anita for a date until she said yes and never let his
attentiveness to her wane. Herb treated Anita like a queen, all the while remaining
selfless, thankless and loyal. They raised three daughters, Marlene (Gary) Cohen,
Wendy Truesdell and Nancy Kasle, in Indianapolis. Their marriage was full of adventure
including travels across the United States and to Spain, France, Italy, UK, Bermuda,
Singapore, Thailand and Japan, filling several passports through the years. Together,
Herb and Anita coordinated Alliance Bus Trips traveling to art destinations throughout
the midwest.
His joy and pride were never ending for all the generations of his family. He is survived
by his wife and daughters, grandchildren: Lindsay (Mark) Goffman, David (Natalie)
Truesdell, Dr. Risa (Tom) Davidson, Jae (Marek) Szeszycki-Truesdell and Raechel Ball;
and great grandchildren: Oliver and Madeline Goffman, Rory and Lilian Truesdell and
Mila and Gavin Davidson as well as his elder brother Dr. Myron (Judy) Kasle. He was
preceded in death by his parents and siblings Betty, Daniel, Frances, Irene, Madalyn
and Sidney.
Herb is greatly missed by Anita and their family and friends. He is remembered and
adored for his devotion to his wife and family as his number one priority, as a man who
could be counted on, a dynamic character full of humor and the capacity for the full
spectrum of emotions and his optimism and good nature - often expressed through
rubbing his hands together in anticipation and exclaiming, “ok gang!” His letters and
memoirs are also cherished treasures, lovingly signed, “Grandpappy K.”
Herb’s Hebrew name was Herschel - referring to someone who would outlive his peers -
and he certainly did. Arrangements were entrusted to Indiana Funeral Care and
interment of ashes will take place at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Cemetery
North. A graveside service may occur at a later date.
Herb and Anita were civic leaders and very active in the arts community including
service to the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, Civic Theater, Indianapolis Museum
of Art, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Butler Ballet, Indianapolis Symphony
Orchestra, Eiteljorg Museum, Hadassah, Indianapolis 500, Dance Kaleidoscope,
Indianapolis Opera Guild, Carmel Public Libraries and the Beethoven Foundation.
Memorial contributions may be made to any of these organizations.