Horace H. "Shorty" Koessler
Horace H. "Shorty" Koessler's name first appeared on a plaque in the MSLF law library. Horace H. "Shorty" Koessler was one of the original members of the Legacy Society and in 1989, shortly after his tragic plane crash, the MSLF law library was dedicated to him. Now, his name appears on the wall plaque in the MSLF national headquarters.
An educated man, Mr. Koessler attended the innovative Lab School run by the University of Chicago, Loomis Prep School, and the University of Chicago, graduating in 1930. Mr. Koessler attended medical school and graduated from McGill University in 1938.
A patriot, Mr. Koessler joined the Army Air Corps as a flight surgeon, served in the 441st Troop Carrier Command, and participated in the Normandy invasion in 1944.
An avid fisherman, Mr. Koessler's father purchased the Gordon Ranch in northwestern Montana in 1924; this beautiful ranch nestled in the Swan Valley and rimmed by the Mission Mountains has been in the Koessler family for the last eighty years. Drawn by the beauty of the family ranch, Mr. Horace H. "Shorty" Koessler settled in Montana.
A successful businessman, Mr. Koessler, in conjunction with others, started Intermountain Lumber Company which owned and operated a number of sawmills and finishing plants in western Montana. He retired as President and CEO in 1972.
A political conservative, Mr. Koessler supported MSLF and its mission to protect and preserve individual liberty, the right to own and use property, limited and ethical government and the free enterprise system. Mr. Koessler demanded excellence of himself and of those he supported. He always said, "MSLF is an organization that does an excellent job!"