David R. Dreyer

1946 - 2026

David R. Dreyer
Born: March 4, 1946 in Chicago, IL
Died: January 19, 2026 in Woodstock, IL
David R. Dreyer was born in Chicago March 4, 1946 to Raymond and Grace (Deck) Dreyer, at age two years, the family moved to Ingleside, Lake, Illinois.
Dave graduated from Grant High School, going on to Luther College, Dave majored in Spanish and Biology. He married Julia Hansen in 1968; they had two sons. Dave spent a year at North Branch Minnesota as a Spanish teacher and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his testing, his recruiter discovered that Dave had an aptitude for piloting. Dave flew C130's throughout the 6 years he was in the military. In April 1975 he flew his C130 on multiple rescue missions out of Tan Son Nhat airport. His last flight out was on April 25th.
In 1975 Dave began teaching Science at Crystal Lake Central. He met and married the librarian Trudie Strong in 1982. Dave had an affinity for hands on science; for example, utilizing a slot car hot wheels racing track. His room was the "supply room" providing such necessities as kite string, waxed, unwaxed, white, orange, narrow gauge, wide gauge ... Dave loved every aspect of being a teacher, truly loved the students. He taught a total of 35 fun filled years.
Dave was member of the Tree of Life Unitarian Church and when called upon for service did more than required, including Choirs and The Frothyboys a drinking group with a singing problem. He assisted for several years with the traveling PADs program. Over a period of 36 years, Dave became the chief engineer of a G-scale model railroad that lovingly became the focus of the backyard; he was a member of the Chicago Area Garden Railroad Society.
It was Dave's involvement with Barbershop Choirs: Lake Geneva Country Gentlemen and Ladies and New Tradition that garnered even more involvement and an additional lifetime bucket of friends. More than anything he relished the joy of singing together in a group.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Heath Kennel.
He is survived by his wife Trudie, blended family consisting of stepson Richard Strong (Audrey), son Arek (Heather Jagman), son Karl (Lisa Finnegan) and daughter Kathleen, his sister Carol (Mark) Aymar. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, mother Rachel Brunacini, Kaelan, Chandra, Liam, Lachlan, Killian, Riordan, Carrick, two nephews, Peter and Ethan Kennel, mother Stephanie Kennel Phillips, one niece, Mona DeFiore, a grandniece, Gabriella Watkins and two grandnephews Joseph and Mikael Watkins.
Dave's family would like to thank Northwestern Medicine for circling the wagons around him 4 plus years ago and Journey Care for extending that circle.
In the spirit of Dave's philanthropy to numerous causes/charities, his family asks that you pick a beloved cause of your own and donate time, resources, etc.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation February 15th 2-4 p.m.