Gary A. Dresang, a longtime teacher of physical education in Wauwatosa, completed life on Aug. 14, 2017. He was 73. 

Asked near the end of his illness what was best about his life, Gary said, “The kids.” For 31 years, Gary taught at Washington Elementary School. Children called him Mr. D. His lessons extended beyond instilling fitness, activity and teamwork as lifelong pursuits. For more than a generation of schoolchildren and their parents, Gary modeled the individual devotion and self-sacrifice that make educators inspirations. 

After retiring from teaching, Gary drove a parking shuttle bus at Mitchell International Airport, where he sometimes met up with former students and usually could recite the names and birth order of all their siblings. 

Gary was born Sept. 28, 1943, in Appleton, Wis. He graduated from Kimberly High School and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Gary was an ardent sports fan. He sat in Section 8, Row 4, Seat 9 at the 1967 Ice Bowl and was a charter donor to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. 

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Carole, his parents, Norbert and Margie, and his brother, Bryon. He is survived by two stepsons, Robert and Aaron Mostek, and by his siblings Dennis (Maxine Austin), Dick, Karen (Louie) Gardner, Joel (Mary) and Beth (Kevin) Schaller. He is further survived by Bryon’s widow, Lois, 18 nieces and nephews and their children. 

A visitation is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Services, 10121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa. 

A graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, following a 1-2 p.m. visitation at the chapel at Appleton Highland Memorial Park. 

Please consider donations to the Wauwatosa School District, 12121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226, Attn: Gary Dresang Memorial.