Dave Dreyer

Dave Dreyer, loving father of Holden and Camden Dreyer, university professor, newspaper contributor and sports writer, and avid sports fan passed away on Saturday, December 3^rd, 2022 in Hickory, North Carolina.  Dave will be deeply missed by his two sons, Holden and Camden Dreyer, parents Robert and Barbara Dreyer, sister and brother-in-law Julie and Doug Nicholas, nieces Katelyn and Leah Nicholas, nephews Drew and Connor Nicholas, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Dave graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1999 and after earning his undergraduate degree at John Carroll University, proceeded to Michigan State University where he earned a doctorate degree in political science. He taught political science at Lenoir Rhyne University for 12 years, over which time he attained tenure and the rank of full professor. He taught both graduate and undergraduate classes, served as Director of General Education, enthusiastically engaged in research, and was a mentor to many of his students. His specialty was international relations and rivalries and he led multiple Model UN student group trips. He was the recipient in 2018 of the Faculty Scholarship Award. He was loved by many students and had occasional grill outs at his home for both present and former students. He left his mark, leaving an impact at Lenoir Rhyne University as many of his colleagues have attested.  He was admired and respected for his pursuit of excellence, hard work ethic, leadership, and his cooperative, kind spirit.

Dave was also a voracious reader of all types of books as well as a prolific writer. He did extensive research, writing many political science papers and had plans to apply for a sabbatical to write a book. For service to the community, Dave voluntarily wrote two articles a week for the local newspaper, The Hickory Daily Record. Many subscribers to the newspaper would text him and stop him on the street to discuss articles with him.

Dave’s hobbies included gardening which he thought was a great learning experience for his boys. He also enjoyed learning about and cooking different foods, including ethnic foods from around the world.  He had a great love of music, played the guitar and had an immense collection of CDs. He liked to have occasional “dance parties” in the kitchen with his boys while preparing or cleaning up after dinner. He loved all sports, remaining loyal to the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds, as well as cheering on the Crawdads minor league baseball team, the Carolina Hurricanes, Hornets and Panthers, and all Lenoir Rhyne sports teams.  What gave Dave the most joy in his life, though, was doing many things with his boys with much love and dedication, teaching them to read, ride bikes, growing gardens together, having lemonade stands, going to Crawdads minor league baseball games, attending Lenoir Rhyne basketball games, and having fun at amusement parks among numerous other things. We are thankful for these memories and he will be forever missed and remain in our hearts.   

Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Visitation Church, 3172 South Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45248, on Monday, December 12, 2022 from 9:00AM until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Please join us afterwards for a Celebration of Life luncheon for Dave at the Miami Township Community Center, 3780 Shady Lane, North Bend, OH 45052.

Donations can be made in memory of Dave Dreyer to:

YMCA of Catawba Valley Financial Assistance Program, 315 1^st Ave. NW, Suite 104, Hickory, NC 28601

Donations will go towards memberships and program services for children and families who cannot afford these services.