Robert L. Tressler, 1890-1993

"Are you offering them Christ, my boy?" These were the words the Rev. Tressler used to begin every visit with a young pastor who is now composing this memoir. I met him at the age of 12 while receiving my first Communion after confirmation class. He was 74 years old, retired, and full of an undying love for serving Jesus. With love and gentle guidance, he shared the next 28 years as I later became an ordained pastor serving the Virginia conference.

Robert Tressler was born September 29, 1890, in Center County, Pennsylvania. He married his lovely Marie, June 19, 1919, while a student at Drew Theological Seminary. He served as pastor in the United Methodist Church from 1919 to 1929 when he felt called to independent evangelistic work. For a time he worked with the Christian Alliance Church. It was in 1940 that the Rev. Tressler returned to the United Methodist Church, serving as pastor in the Virginia conference until 1963 when he retired. He served churches in Caroline, Ferrum, Spotsylvania, Bedford, Albemarle, Grottoes, Roanoke and Burkeville.

During the years of his retirement. the Rev. Tressler was an avid teacher of the Bible at Lakeside United Methodist Church. He assisted every minister appointed to that church from 1963 to 1975. His legacy of spirituality and strong family values inspired several generations of Christians. He dearly loved the children and was influential in many services designed to include "the little ones."

Many may wonder what happens to retired United Methodist pastors. I can only speak of one whose devotion to God, his country, his family,  and to total strangers spans over 70 years. He never wavered in his faith. He always found something good in all people. He was in all places and in all ways an ambassador for Christ. My only regret is that I knew him for only a small portion of a precious life in the Holy Spirit.

-Joseph H. Klotz. Jr.