Calvin Virgil Dresser

Calvin Dresser Obituary

Calvin Virgil Dresser was born in Piper, KS on March 14, 1925 to James and Grace Dresser who raised him in Lawrence, and he married Evelyn Cooper. While in the Navy during WWII he earned mechanical and aeronautical engineering degrees from Rice and Kansas Universities. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi. He and Evelyn moved to St. Louis in 1947, where he began his 40-year career with McDonnell Aircraft Company during which he was a design team member on the F-101, F-4, and F-18 among other aircraft. In 1955 he settled in Chesterfield. He and Evelyn were early members of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd where he sang in the choir for almost 20 years. In the 1960?s he was an actively involved citizen in the St. Louis County Planning Commission. In 1987 he and Evelyn moved to Warminster, PA where he worked for the Naval Air Warfare Development Center until the summer of 1994. They retired to their home in Chesterfield where Evelyn still resides. He enjoyed tinkering with anything old and mechanical in need of repair, acquiring large and small train sets, reading about history and technology, buying and storing used books, and, at one time, accumulating a collection of just about every PC and many peripherals manufactured from 1975 to 2000. Calvin died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning Feb. 7th at the age of 86 from lung cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Evelyn, and three sons ? Robert (Marcy) of McLean, Virginia; James of Chesterfield; William (Bonita) of Chesterfield; a sister, Mary Burchill, of Lawrence; and three grandchildren: Heather, Douglass, and Travis. He was preceded in death by his brother James.

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Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Feb. 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Calvin Dresser

6 Entries

Janice Johnson

February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012

Dear Evelyn,
You and Calvin shared most of our important occasions, from courting days to our wedding in Danforth Chapel, to visits in Virginia when you
came to see Bob and family.

In St.Louis, Calvin gave Harry and me a special tour of McDonald aircraft!
With our kids, Anne, Laurel and Eric,
we enjoyed our stops at your wonderful place that had sheep and all Calvin's wheels!
We have such warn memories of his smile and great humor, his love of books and ideas.
I treasure our lovely, and loving,
friendship through the years, and look
forward to your carrying it onward.

Trudy Miller McFall

February 19, 2012

Evelyn, I am so very sorry to hear of Calvin's death. I remember so happily the many Thanksgivings that we got to share with you. I just loved Calvin and how we all laughed together during those visits. Calvin's energy and that wonderful laugh of his I will hear always. Mom so loved her cousin Calvin and I know will be so very sad when we tell her. Yes at almost 94 she is still with us although with limited memory. You were always so sweet and supportive that I have equally great memories of you. I hope you are OK. Mike and I wish we could be there for the funeral to honor and celebrate Calvin but you and your family are in our heart

Mary Lou Penny

February 15, 2012

Dear Evelyn,
Your family has been in my memory frequently through the many years since we all were in LMHS. We all have been blessed; We all shot out into the world and have no way of knowing about each other's lives. Could you tell me, when you have time, about the Coopers esp. Dorothy, James Dresser etc. You are having to adjust to life without Calvin's hysical presence as I have learned to do without Junius. My phone in Lawrence and email are: 785-865-0919 & [email protected]
Sincerely, Mary Lou Nelson Penny

Ashley McGlinn

February 14, 2012

I can't help but smile at all the memories I have, I'm blessed to be apart of this family! I'm so sorry for the loss of a loved one and please know that we are all praying for you. Such a wonderful man! Sending lots of love from Kansas: Kelly Cooper, Ashley and Scooter.

February 14, 2012

To the Dresser Family:

May the God of all comfort surround you with his loving arms, during this difficult time in your lives. (2Cor.1:3)

My condolences,
SJB.

Cathy Adamson

February 14, 2012

I had the great pleasure of knowing Mr. Dresser and what a wonderful man he was. To his family I am so sorry for your loss, please know that you are in my prayers.

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