Daniel Wayne Dreisewerd passed away peacefully on October 22, 2022 after a four-year battle with cancer. Born on February 21, 1970 in St. Louis County, Missouri, Dan was the only child of Douglas and Rita Dreisewerd.
Dan earned his bachelor of applied science in civil engineering degree from Missouri University of Science & Technology in 1994. After graduation, he worked at Volz Incorporated for six years as a project engineer, focusing on design and plan development for roadways. He later earned the certifications of Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE), the latter demonstrating his specialized knowledge and skill in the application of traffic operations engineering.
In 2000, Dan moved from private practice to the public sector, accepting a position with St. Louis County, where he worked for more than 22 years. Dan served the citizens of St. Louis County under four administrations, and in numerous roles. From 2000 to 2010, he worked as a project manager and supervisor in the Division of Highways and Traffic, where he oversaw the management and design of over $100 million in roadway projects. During this time, Dan was integral to the completion of St. Louis County’s first design-build project, known as the Page-Olive Connector, the six-lane extension of Missouri Highway 141 from Olive Boulevard north to Page Avenue, which completed the link between central St. Louis County with St. Charles County. This enormous project required extraordinary coordination among St. Louis County, the Missouri Department of Transportation, numerous municipalities and public agencies. Under Dan’s leadership, the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. In recognition of Dan’s professional achievements, in 2011 he was selected as the St. Louis Missouri Professional Engineer of the Year by the National Society of Professional Engineers, an organization of his peers.
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n 2010, Dan transitioned from the practice of engineering to management, assuming the role of Code Enforcement Division Manager. In that role, he led approximately 130 employees in the development, maintenance and enforcement of St. Louis County’s building codes and roadway permitting. Using his engineering expertise, strong leadership and organizational skills, Dan focused on customer service, introducing numerous efficiencies into and streamlining the permitting process. While continuing to serve in this role, Dan also took on the additional responsibilities of Acting Director of Transportation and Public Works, from April 2017 until November of 2019. Dan embraced this demanding and more public-facing role while also waging his private fight with cancer.
Although Dan found great professional satisfaction in his service to the public, he was most proud his 26-year marriage to Sherry, and their two sons, Ryan and Greg. Dan met Sherry when he was 20 and she was 18, and they dated for six years before marrying in 1996. In Sherry, Dan found his best friend and life partner, and their teamwork was extraordinary. Together, they built a life that they loved, filled with mutual admiration and support, laughter, numerous trips to Walt Disney World and lots and lots of swimming.
Having grown up as a swimmer, Dan understood the discipline and work ethic required of the sport, and encouraged Ryan and Greg to become swimmers. So that he could be on deck during their races, Dan became certified by USA Swimming, and volunteered countless hours to the Rockwood Swim Club, beginning as a stroke-and-turn official, and working his way up to meet referee. He also served as the President and Vice President of the Rockwood Swim Club Parents Organization for many years. Dan loved to watch his sons race, and to achieve the goals they set for themselves. Dan also served as Cub Scout Master at Ryan’s and Greg’s elementary school, and engineered many Pinewood Derby cars. He was proud of his sons no matter what, and grateful to see Ryan graduate from college and start his own business, and to see Greg embark on his college career towards becoming a mechanical engineer.
Dan was generous, kind and above-all, humble, preferring to let the spotlight shine on others. He was a life-long friend and mentor to many, and challenged all of us who were lucky enough to know him well to become a better version of ourselves. He loved to laugh and be silly, too, and we will deeply miss his antics, practical jokes and his hugs. Dan was, is and always will be our hero and our rock. Although we cannot imagine our lives without him, we know that he is and will remain so much a part of us, and will be cheering from the deck.
The last few months have been difficult, and the family would like to thank the village, near and far, that has surrounded us and given us strength. We love you and appreciate all that you have done to support Dan and us.
A visitation for Dan will be held on Thursday, October 27th, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the SCHRADER Funeral Home Family Center, 114960 Manchester Road at Holloway, in Ballwin. His funeral will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 28th, at St. John United Church of Christ, 332 Old Sulphur Spring Road, in Manchester, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. If desired, donations may be made to Fight Colorectal Cancer, 134 Park Central Square #210, Springfield, Missouri 65806 (fightcolorectalcancer.org). Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.
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