Leo Dressel Obituary
A lifelong educator, Leo entered the Society of Jesus in 1965 and throughout his career impacted the lives of thousands of students and faculty at several independent schools across the country. In addition to several interim positions as Head of School, Leo went on to lead Saint Louis University High School in St. Louis, MO., St. Martin's Episcopal School in Metairie, La., and All Saints Episcopal Day School in Phoenix, AZ.
Leo was born in St. Louis, MO on September 26, 1946, to Leo P. and Ellen J. (Fitzgerald) Dressel. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Esstman/Livingston) and her children, Laura Livingston Moller (Mark Moller), Mark Livingston (Susannah Schweiss) and Peter Livingston (Jane Corbett), along with 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. He was affectionately known as "Padre" by his loving family. He is also survived by his siblings, Ellen Ippolito (Nick), Geri Baumgart (Steve) and Patrick Dressel (Kim) and many nieces and nephews.
Leo retired in 2019 to care for his beloved wife, Jan and they moved together to the Beatitudes Campus in Phoenix, AZ where they continued to spread their love and sense of community that defined Leo's life. Leo will always be known for his sharp intellect, his deep faith and spirituality, his ability to remember names and his loving kindness to anyone who had the pleasure to meet him. He is deeply missed by many.
Services to be held in Phoenix, AZ on January 6, 2024, at All Saints Episcopal Church & Day School 6300 North Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ at 2:00 p.m. Final memorial service to be held on January 20, 2024, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church 17 Joy Ave, Webster Groves, MO at 2:00 p.m.
In accordance with the way in which Leo lived his life, he donated his body to the Knowledge Donor Program at Creighton Health Sciences Department in Phoenix.
Leo & Jan were widely committed to a large and diverse number of charities throughout their lives. In lieu of flowers, please consider the following organizations in Leo's memory:
Nourish Phoenix - Nourishphx.org
The Challenge Foundation - thechallengefoundation.org
All Saints Episcopal Day School - allsaints.org
St. Louis University High School - SLUH.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Tom Graham, SLUH, Class 1983
January 3, 2024
A wonderful mentor, guide, disciplinarian when a kid needed it and a man of faith whose example to this day inspires. Eternal peace and rest. You were instrumental in helping a young man grow into a man, one hopes Leo would be proud of. Tom Graham '83
Mark Moehlmann
January 3, 2024
I was a graduate of the 83 class. After my sophomore year my grades were low and my family and I had to meet with Fr. Dressel to talk about staying in school. He allowed me stay and continue to play hockey. When I was getting married I contacted him to marry and he told me he had left the priesthood to get married. We had a great talk. Wonderful and fair man.
Mark
Mark Moehlmann
Jeff Hohl
December 30, 2023
Paula Wynnyckyj
December 30, 2023
Leo was indeed a gentleman and a scholar and most loving husband to Janet, his brilliant and beautiful wife. Paula Peterfeso Wynnyckyj
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