Passing of Jim Dresser ’63, Hon. ’13, P’93

It is with sadness that we recently shared news of the death of James van Benschoten Dresser ’63, Hon. ’13, P’93, chair emeritus of Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees. Jim passed away at age 83 on September 22 after a long illness.

After graduating with honors from Wesleyan in 1963, Jim served as a Captain in Air Force intelligence before earning a JD from LaSalle University, an MA from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He built a distinguished career at the Boston Consulting Group, retiring as Senior Vice President in 1998.

In retirement, Jim lent his expertise to Wesleyan as interim Vice President for University Relations and Finance. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1990-1993, 1995-2001, 2003-2005, and as chair from 2005-2009. He was elected chair emeritus in 2009. He received Wesleyan’s Outstanding Service Award in 1993 and was awarded Wesleyan’s honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2013. Jim was a lifelong Cardinal baseball fan, and in recognition of his service to Wesleyan, Dresser Diamond on Andrus Field bears his name.

Jim was Chair of the Board when I was hired as president, and he took charge of ensuring that the transition of our family from Berkeley, California to Middletown, Connecticut was as smooth as possible. I remember him taking Kari to look at barns where she might find horses to ride while he also advised me about campus possibilities and pitfalls. His kindness was always evident, and his devotion to alma mater was second to none.

Jim is survived by his wife Laura Carlson, son Clayton Dreslough ’93, sister Marguerite Dresser ’86, and granddaughter Eleanor. A celebration of his life will be held next summer.

May his memory be a blessing.