Former Fort Lauderdale Mayor Rob Dressler dies

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Rob Dressler, who served as Fort Lauderdale’s mayor during the 1980s, has died, current Mayor Dean Trantalis said Monday.

Trantalis posted to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he was “greatly saddened” to learn of Dressler’s death.

“A Fort Lauderdale native, Rob was the first elected mayor of the city and served exceptionally with forward-thinking and long-range planning,” Trantalis said. “He led the start of efforts to revitalize the beachfront and develop Las Olas Riverwalk. He also founded the Northwest Advisory Board, amplifying minority voices in city government.”

Trantalis said he was “proud to be able to give him the city’s Honored Founder award last November.”

“Please join me in remembering his legacy and sharing our sympathies with his family,” the current mayor said.

According to the civic group Fort Lauderdale Forum, Dressler was first elected mayor in 1982, was re-elected in 1985 and served on the State University System of Florida Board of Regents.

He was also a private practice attorney.

Trantalis’ post doesn’t list Dressler’s age or cause of death.