Dr. David Michael (Dr. Mike) DeRuyter

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Dr. David Michael DeRuyter (Dr. Mike), 72, who passed on February 18, 2025 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

He was born November 13, 1952, in Springfield, Missouri, son of David and Mary Nelle White DeRuyter. Mike grew up in Seymour, Missouri, moved to Springfield, Missouri in junior high and graduated from Glendale High School in 1970. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Drury College (University), where he graduated Cum Laude with a double major in biology and chemistry and a special emphasis in physics, in Springfield in 1974. While at Drury, Mike was Lambda Chi Alpha Outstanding Senior Athlete, a Pi Phi Arrow Man Sorority Sweetheart and a Student Senate Fraternity Liaison to Drury administration. He graduated from Dental School at the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1978.

During his career, Dr. Mike was the owner and/or lead dentist in practices in Missouri and Arkansas. He began practicing with the Parkcrest Dental Group in Springfield in 1978. In 1990, he moved into private practice and established Progressive Dental Centers. More recently, Mike spent seven years as The Airport Dentist in Mount Ida, AR. After a miraculous recovery from brain surgery, Mike had recently returned to Hot Springs to open a new office, DeRuyter Dental, the Airport Dentist.

Mike’s professional accomplishments included serving as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Midwest Orthodontic Group, an elite study group led by Dr. Bill Merril, Orthodontic Director of West Virginia Orthodontic Graduate School. In 1982, Dr. Mike pioneered the way for cosmetic dentistry in Springfield, Missouri. In 1990, he helped grow a one to three chair dental clinic into two eight-chair dental clinics with 30 employees and four dental associates. From 1994-1998, he studied with Dr. Witzig, the author of the books on Growth and Development for Board Certified Orthodontists. From 1993 until 2000 he trained dental hygiene assistants to better prepare them to enter the dental field. In Mount Ida, he and his assistants could be found in the schools providing free dental check-ups for elementary students.

He was always proud of his daughters and was a hands-on dad, cheering and participating in Rylee’s barrel racing and rodeo activities and Allison’s dance and sports events. Mike adored his daughters, his grandsons, his sisters, his dogs (Dexter and Patches) his friends and the Kansas City Chiefs. He loved dancing, the annual Lambda Chi Alpha float trip with his fraternity brothers and was an accomplished slalom water skier as well as snow skier. He grew up enjoying the family houseboat and ski boat on Table Rock Lake and loved taking Allison and Rylee there. As a child, Mike spent summers at the DeRuyter cottage in Battle Lake, MN, another favorite place, and recently had a reunion with his family there.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents, Charles and Oleva Anderson White of Seymour/Springfield, MO and George and Jedidah Ossewaarde DeRuyter, Sioux Center, Iowa.

Survivors include his daughters, Allison DeRuyter (Jimmy Pilla) Springfield, MO; Rylee Michelle DeRuyter (George Barber) Solgohachia, AR; grandsons Landon DeRuyter, Springfield, MO; and Stetson Barber, Solgohachia, AR; two sisters, Nancy DeRuyter Warren, Valdosta, GA, and Jedidah Ann DeRuyter, Durango, CO; His uncle and aunt, Col. (Ret) Mark and Ruth DeRuyter, Fargo, ND; and a number of beloved cousins and nieces.

A private family service is planned at the lake this summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help Allison and Rylee with expenses and may be sent to:

Allison DeRuyter

1674 E. Dale Street

Springfield, MO 65803

*Obituary posted locally as a courtesy for the family of Dr. David Michael DeRuyter.