Dennis Michael Dreher

Dennis Michael Dreher 1951- Dennis Michael Dreher, 73, of Loveland, Colorado, was surrounded by family when he joined the angels in Heaven on August 18th, 2025, after a battle with cancer.

Born August 20, 1951, in St. Joseph, MI to Dennis M. and Joan (Olson) Dreher, Denny and his siblings, David and Kristine, were raised in Niles, MI. He spent most of his childhood days with friends, collecting comics and coins, and nurturing an interest in history that would become a lifelong passion.

After graduating high school in Niles, Denny attended the University of Wyoming, where he graduated in 1975. He began a long and dedicated career in higher education in 1976 when he was employed by the University of Wyoming in the Admissions Office. During that time, he also became a father for the first time when his son, Steven, was born.

In 1986, Denny moved to Powell, WY to become the Director of Enrollment Management and the Assistant Dean of Students at Northwest College. In 1989, he returned to Laramie, gained bonus daughters Genevieve and Vanessa, and welcomed daughter Elyssa. From 1989 to 2007, Denny worked at the University of Wyoming in Atmospheric Sciences and later became the first director of the International Student and Scholars Office. After directing the office for thirteen years, he then served as the Assistant Dean of Student Judicial Affairs until his first retirement in 2007. Denny also served numerous student organizations, such as new student orientation, SPURS, and ASUW, as well as volunteering on residence hall move in days.

He also served as an adjunct faculty member in the History Department, where he taught courses in Warfare and Technology, and U.S. Military History. Not content to stay retired, he returned to UW to serve as a consultant in the Dean of Students Office and work in the newly created Campus Visits Office. He again "retired" in 2011.

Dennis married Lynn in 2011 and gained bonus daughters Jenny, Lexi, and Sarah. He and Lynn also moved to Loveland, CO in 2011 where he continued his work with students at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins until retiring (again) in 2020.

Denny pursued his childhood love of history and was an avid collector and archivist. He spent years reenacting Civil War living history at Fort Laramie, where he had at least one experience that was included in a collection of Wyoming ghost stories. He was also a lifelong supporter of UW athletics, volunteering for 50 years as an announcer and statistician, and was inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020. He was a passionate teacher, coach and community volunteer, and was known for his humor, generosity, gentle strength of character, and encouragement of others. He believed in the human spirit and that everyone deserved to be listened to and given the opportunity to help themselves be better.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn (Dougherty); his sister, Khris Price; children Jenny and Lexi (Matthew) Becker, Steven (Anne) and Elyssa Dreher, Sarah (Michael) Layne, Gen Reilly; and grandchildren Logan, Brielle, Ezra, Iris, Ella, Levi, Josiah, Liyah, Braden, Kaysen and Davin.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 3rd at 11am at Rez Church in Loveland, CO. Inurnment and graveside service will be held Thursday, September 4th at 12pm at Greenhill Cemetery in Laramie, WY followed by a gathering at Washington Park to share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Laramie.