Robert Kresse, the attorney who helped shape much of Western New York through his civic work and philanthrophy to local non-profits, has died after a brief illness. He was 93.
Born in Buffalo to a tight-knit Polish-Catholic family, Kresse attendied St. Mary of Sorrows Church and school, then Canisius High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for a brief period, before graduating from Canisius College in 1950.
Kresse then attended Georgetown University Law School, where he earned his law degree. That began a law career that spanned some 70 years, retiring as counsel with Barclay & Damon in 2018.
In his obituary, Kresse's family noted his advocacy for education. He helped establish the first Montessori program open to inner city children at the St. Mary of Sorrows Parish on Buffalo's East Side and Buffalo's first charter school at the King Urban Life Center.
"One of the greatest honors of his career" was to serve for more than 35 years as trustee of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. The Foundation has awarded millions of dollars to local organizations and projects. Kresse also chaired the Niagara River Greenway Commission for many years, was named Eternal Chairman of the Board for the Darwin Martin House and was a trustee of Buffalo-Toronto Public Media.
Kresse is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Ann, and his eight children. A celebration of life will be held at a future date through Vandercher & Dick Funeral Home.