MEMORIAL RESOLUTION
FOR KRISTOFER M. DRESSLER

By Greg Nellis and Jaal Ghandhi, Professors in Mechanical Engineering.

Kristofer Dressler, a Teaching Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, passed away on December 1 of 2022 from complications related to brain cancer. His passing has left a large hole in the world. He is survived by his wife Leslie and his two young children, Walter (Wally) and Celia (Cece). He was above all else a loving husband and father.

Kris matriculated at UW-Madison in 1991 and, in his unique style, received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2003, six years after completing his coursework. He subsequently went on to co-found Laminar Technologies, which developed and marketed a high flow beer tap – an invention that he patented while a student and combined two things that he loved: beer and fluid dynamics. In 2010, Kris received his M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and returned to UW-Madison to pursue a Ph.D. That quest, however, was sidetracked when he left for several years to teach Mathematics at MATC. In 2016 he rejoined our department as a Lecturer, and successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation on two-phase fluid flow in 2018. Dr. Dressler was appointed as an Assistant Teaching Professor in 2021, shortly before being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

It's difficult to write this resolution for several reasons, but one is that it’s hard to describe Kris in words. He was a big person – tall enough to earn varsity letters in rowing, but beyond that someone with a huge personality. Kris enjoyed life. He was endlessly enthusiastic and curious. His presence made the ME Department a better place for all. Kris was a pivotal part of the culture of the department, one that values quality teaching and fosters community. Among other things, he organized the Friday morning coffee that brought the department together each week.

Throughout his life, Kris was foremost a mentor, teacher, and coach. Kris had a unique set of life experiences that made it possible for him to engage with students ranging from first semester freshman to doctoral dissertators. He exuded a love of the engineering profession that was obvious to anyone who met him, and he understood that the process of learning is difficult and must be initiated by the student. Kris’ teaching philosophy was to “comfort the uncomfortable and make the comfortable uncomfortable.” He understood that each student is different: some students are too comfortable and need to be pushed beyond their current limit and (respectfully) informed of their ignorance. Other students, the uncomfortable, bring more than enough frustration to the table. For these students Kris tried to highlight their ability, remind them of all the tools at their disposal, and show them the path from problem to solution.

Kris taught a wide array of courses in the ME department, and based on the student evaluations he was, simply put, outstanding. He was recognized by Pi Tau Sigma (the ME honor society) as their Professor of the Year twice. Kris also spearheaded the department’s accreditation efforts, was instrumental in the development of our first-year Introduction to Mechanical Engineering course, and oversaw the army of TAs who teach the Mechanics of Materials lab class. He remained involved in research, and acted as an advisor for the many graduate students that passed through his former lab. Kris started college in 1991 and received his Ph.D. 27 years later; he understood better than most the value of perseverance and the need to enjoy the journey.

Kris will be greatly missed. His legacy is enshrined in the undergraduate fellowship that was established in his name.