[Ohio-talk] Paul Dressell

Tue Apr 23 13:13:08 UTC 2019

I met Paul Dressell forty-five years ago. He was the secretary of the affiliate, and at that time that meant real work at the convention. The Executive Board met for six hours on Thursday, and Paul took the notes of the meeting. When the convention began Friday, he had to read the minutes of that Thursday meeting. He then took notes during the entire convention and wrote up a report for the Braille Monitor and a complete set of minutes of the convention. I was impressed. Paul was accurate, literate, and funny in that writing task. He never complained, and, what impressed me mightily, he read his minutes fluently. 

Paul had an amazing memory. He could tell you where and when past conventions had taken place. He remembered people and likely their phone numbers as well. He was a walking compendium of Federation history. His parents had been active in the affiliate when he was a child. But by the time I arrived on the scene, Paul was a Federation leader in his own right. 

Paul was always willing to work. It never mattered how menial a job was or how thankless, Paul was happy to  step in to lend a hand. Colleen Roth called Paul a gentleman, and she was right, but he was also a gentle man. He was unassuming. If an officer was needed at the state level, Paul was willing to serve. If he was needed as a member of the state board, that was fine as well. If the Cincinnati chapter needed a president, Paul was ready to serve. If someone else wanted a chance to see what could be done with the chapter, he was happy to step down. 

Paul drew door prizes for a number of years at state convention. He was efficient and cheerful and always ready to banter during that job. 

My heart breaks for his wife Bernie, or Shorty as he called her. I believe that Paul is now with his Lord, restored in body  and in mind. Bernie is left with half her very being departed. Let us all pray for her as we strive to fill Paul’s very big shoes. 

May he rest in peace,
Barbara

Barbara Pierce, President Emerita
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Barbara.pierce9366 at gmail.com
440-774-8077

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations for blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and their dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

> On Apr 23, 2019, at 5:53 AM, Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Ohio, this is very sad news and he is still the rock. Paul rode the team bus
> last year to our state convention and he and his wife was our guest. I herd
> my uncle recite a poem that basically said give me my flowers while I yet
> live. I know that Paul was happy to be on the bus and it was very nice to
> get the call from him thanking us for making Shure he could attend. God
> bless the family and please keep them in your prayers.
> 
> 
> Richard Payne,  President
> National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
> 937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
> Rchpay7 at gmail.com
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sheri Albers via
> Ohio-Talk
> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2019 6:13 PM
> To: 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List' <cinci-nfb at nfbnet.org>; 'NFB of
> Ohio Announcement and Discussion List' <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Sheri Albers <sheri.albers87 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Ohio-talk] Paul Dressell
> 
> Hello NFBO Family,
> 
> It is with great sadness that I report the passing of our beloved friend
> Paul Dressell. He fought a furious fight against cancer, but he was called
> Home this morning where he is no longer suffering. I do not have the details
> of his services yet, but I will pass them along when I get them. Please keep
> Bernie and his family in your prayers. I know our Cincinnati Chapter will
> never be the same without him.
> 
> 
> 
> Sheri Albers, Vice President
> 
> National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
> 
> 513-886-8697
> 
> Sheri.albers87 at gmail.com
> 
> 
> 
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