Dr. John Russell Dreyer

Dr. John Russell Dreyer, 44 of Rapid City, South Dakota died unexpectedly at his home Saturday, July 9, 2022. He was born August 21, 1977 in Fremont, OH to Russell J. and Peggy J. (Bennett) Dreyer. He received his Eagle Scout Award in 1994 and was a 1995 graduate of Woodmore High School. John received his BA in History from Bowling Green State University in 2000. He then received his Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2003 and his PhD from the University of Tennessee in Political Science. He was currently employed as an Associate Professor of Political Science at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He received the United States Army Civilian Award for coordinating ROTC trips to Little Big Horn. John was a military history aficionado especially reenactments of World War II. He also wrote, and co-authored, many articles on military strategies and love analyzing them. Lastly, he was a military hat collector. Survivors include his daughter Briony Dreyer; parents Russ & Peggy Dreyer; and wife Adriane Cole. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents William & Lois Bennett and his paternal grandparents John & Emma Dreyer. Burial will be handled privately in the Harris- Elmore Union Cemetery under the direction of the Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore-Genoa Chapel. A Public Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 10:30am – 2pm at Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, 19255 W. Portage River South Road, Elmore, OH 43416. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Ottawa County or the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesmanfuneralhome.com.