Robert R. DRECHSEL

A great man and hard driving yet inspiring mentor and teacher. I enjoyed being his student.

My condolences to the Drechsel family. I will always remember him as a quiet, gentle man. My prayers are with you all.

Bob Drechsel was a warm-hearted teacher who also demanded our best. Because he expected that, he helped us learn to expect it of ourselves. Like another former student, I forgot much of the math he taught us, until I had to relearn it to help my high school kids. I wish I could say that I learned Bob's deft touch as well.

Bob Drechsel was not just a great teacher of kids. He was a teacher of teachers. I joined the Saint Paul Academy faculty fresh out of college more than 40 years ago, and he helped me to find my way. I am a better teacher today for having served with a man whose care for his subject and his students came through every day.
Bob Kegan
The Meehan Professor of Adult Learning
Harvard University

Mr. Drechsel (as his students called him) taught me math back in the '60s at SPA. Can't say I remember much of the math. What I do remember is a kind, gentle man who would give me a ride to school each morning, since we lived just a couple blocks apart, and only asked that I help rake his leaves one Fall. He had a nice older car which he kept in great shape, and would play classical music on it's radio as we drove to school. I especially recall that he would whistle to the music, and...