Horst was born in Königsberg, East Prussia, Germany in 1942 to Horst and Christiane Dressler. His family settled in West Germany after the war. In 1956 the family immigrated to Reedsburg, WI shortly before he became a freshman at Webb High School.  This was a challenge because no one at the school spoke German and he spoke no English. 

His immersion language experience influenced his career as a foreign language teacher.  He taught German to thousands of students in all Wauwatosa secondary schools.  Many people knew him as Herr Dressler. His excellence in teaching was recognized by awards, including a Kohl’s Fellowship, and by the success of his many students. Many of his students have told him how they have used their experience with him in their life. When he retired, only one of the remaining Wauwatosa School District’s German Language teachers had not been his student.

Horst, along with two other foreign language teachers, Terry Huth and Dieter Tempe, also formed Wauwatosa School District’s first soccer teams. They formed teams at the Wauwatosa Junior Highs and played against each other.  There was no money for uniforms or equipment so Horst provided the balls and had the students bring a plain white t-shirt which he took home and dyed them orange for Longfellow Junior High’s colors.

Horst met his wife, Carolyn, while they were students at UW Madison.  They moved to Wauwatosa after graduation and raised their children there.  He is survived by his wife and children: Monika, and Matthias (Jennifer) and grandson Colin; as well as brother, Axel (Joanne) of Black River Falls, and numerous cousins and nephews in Wisconsin and in Germany.  He was preceded in death by brother, Peter (Karin), of Mannheim, Germany and nephew, Kristofer (Leslie) of Madison.

An informal memorial gathering will be held from 10:00 to 11:30 on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, 10121 W. North Ave, Wauwatosa. The family will have a private service at a later date.

The family thanks the doctors and nurses who cared for him over the years and the devoted staff of DaVita Bluemound Dialysis Center. A special thanks to the caring staff at Zilber Family Hospice who made his transition from this life so peaceful.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Zilber Family Hospice.  

https://www.schmidtandbartelt.com