BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University Department of Athletics, swimming and diving program and the community lost one of its own on February 11 as BW Athletics Alumni Hall of Fame swimmer Dave Tressel '73 & '78 passed away at the age of 70.
"The entire Baldwin Wallace community is saddened by the news of Dave Tressel's passing", said Director of Athletics Steve Thompson. "In Dave's passing, Baldwin Wallace and the Berea community lost a most faithful servant, friend and mentor. Dave had that unique ability to instantly connect with people of all ages. He did that throughout his life as a coach and educator of countless Berea area youth and BW students.
Dave was inducted into the Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 for his four years of competing on the swimming and diving team and for his over 50 years of serving the athletics department as an alum, coach and contributor. He was recognized by BW as an outstanding educator in 2007
Dave received his undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace in 1973 and Master of Arts in Education in 1978.
Following graduation from BW, he assisted his father, Dr. Lee Tressel '48, and mother, Eloise Tressel '72, and the athletics department with the Lettermen's Association. Dave played an important role in organizing and facilitating Lettermen's Association events since they were held in the 1970's.
In addition to his work at BW, he served as a teacher and coach in Berea City School District at both Roehm Middle School and at Berea High School for over 35 years. Dave was the 2013 recipient of the Berea Grindstone Award.
He was a member of Berea school board and a trustee of the district's Education Foundation. Dave was Berea High's swimming coach for three years. He was a swimming instructor for the Berea Recreation Department for 45 years as taught summer learn-to-swim classes.
Dave served as the president of the BW Alumni Council and Berea Kiwanis Club and was a member of the Coe Lake Nature Trail Committee and the Berea Historical Society's board. He volunteered with Realizing Your Potential, a mentoring group for African-American Berea High male students and is involved with Kiwanis-sponsored Builder's Club for middle school students.
Dave is survived by his children, Lee (Jenna) Tressel, Julie (Amir) Kadri, Chris (Morgan) Tressel, and Mark Tressel; former spouse Sharon Tressel; grandchildren, Rami, Sami, and Charlee; siblings, Dick (Connie) Tressel, and Jim (Ellen) Tressel; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.
A viewing will be held on Friday, February 18 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 19 at Grace Church located on 7393 Pearl Road at 2 p.m. Livestream Celebration of Life at https:/live.gracecma.org. A private family burial will be held in Ada, Ohio.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, donations can be made in Dave's honor to any of the following organizations: Baldwin Wallace Swimming and Diving, the Berea Historical Society Berea Kiwanis and Grace Church.