James (Jim) van Benschoten Dresser '63, Hon. '13, P'93, chair emeritus of Wesleyan's Board of Trustees, passed away at the age of 83 on September 22 after a long battle with illness.
After graduating with honors from Wesleyan in 1963, Jim served as Captain in Air Force intelligence before earning a JD from LaSalle University, an MA from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He built a distinguished career at the Boston Consulting Group, retiring as Senior Vice President in 1998.
In retirement, Jim lent his expertise to Wesleyan as interim Vice President for University Relations and Finance. He served on the Board of Trustees from 1990-93, 1995-2001, 2003-05, and as chair from 2005-09. He was elected chair emeritus in 2009. He received Wesleyan's Outstanding Service Award in 1993 and was awarded Wesleyan's honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2013. Jim was a lifelong Cardinal baseball fan and in recognition of his service to Wesleyan, Dresser Diamond on Andrus Field bears his name.
Dresser Diamond was formally named on May 1, 2010, signifying Jim's fandom and dedication to the University. Six generations of Dresser's family has coached, played, or watched games on Dresser Diamond.
Baseball began at Wesleyan – and on this ground – in 1865. Two years earlier, Dresser's great-grandfather, James Cooke Van Benschoten, arrived at Wesleyan to teach classics, which he did for almost 40 years. He named the team "the Agallians."
One of Professor "Van Benny's" three daughters, Margaret Van Benschoten, graduated from Wes in 1904, lived with her parents, and worked in the college library. She married Henry Dresser, class of 1908, who started for the Cardinals' baseball team as an outfielder. Their son, Jim Dresser, Sr. was in the class of 1937.
Jim's daughter, Marguerite '86 rowed and played volleyball at Wesleyan. His son, Clay Dreslough '93, played Ultimate Frisbee.
Jim is survived by his wife Laura Carlson, son Clay, daughter Marguerite, and granddaughter Eleanor. A celebration of his life will be held next summer.
