Dodson Dreisbach

Dodson E. Dreisbach, 89, passed away on Dec. 28 at

Berks Heim, where he had resided since 2010. Prior to that, he was a resident of Gibraltar beginning in 1948.

He was the widower of Louise E. Dreisbach, who passed away Feb. 11 of this year.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Howard Earl and Irma (Heiney) Dreisbach.

He was predeceased by a sister, Netah (Dreisbach) Hildenbrandt.

He is survived by a daughter, Susan L. Pena, the wife of Felix A. Pena, and one grandchild, Amanda M. Pena; also three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Dreisbach spent all of his career in various aspects of education. He received a B.S. in Education from Kutztown State Teachers College (now Kutztown University) in 1945; a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1949; and a Doctor of Education from Temple University in 1959.

He was first employed as a geography teacher at Mt. Penn Junior-Senior High School from 1945 to 1955. He became principal of Robeson Township Elementary School, which he opened in 1955, consolidating the one-room schools in Robeson; he also served as Elementary Supervisor in the Twin Valley Schools. He left these positions in 1960 to become a Professor of Education at Kutztown State College (now University).

From 1962 to 1970 he was Dean of Graduate Studies; from 1970 to 1980 he was Vice President for Academic Affairs, having spent one semester as Acting President; at that time he retired from the college.

During his career he also served a term as President of the Robeson School Board, and a term on the Robeson Township Municipal Authority.

After retiring, Dr. Dreisbach devoted much of his time to Berks County's public libraries, including 22 years on the board of the Friends of Reading-Berks Public Libraries, of which he was founding president.

He was a member of the committee for the annual Book Bonanza (the used-book sale which benefits the libraries), and was chairman of the event for eight years.

He co-chaired a five-year study of library services in Reading and Berks County; he chaired the task force to develop the Berks County Library System, and was the first President of the Library System.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries, serving one term as President.

He was the first recipient of the Dreisbach Award for Exemplary Service to Libraries, presented each year by the Berks County Public Libraries. He also was given the Library Citizen of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries.

Dr. Dreisbach was a member of the board of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association. He was a charter member of the Kutztown Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (education fraternity), and served a term as president and delegate to three national conventions. He received the Phi Delta Kappa Service Award. He also served on the board of the Northeast Region of Academic Affairs Administrators.

He was a long-time member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Reading, where he served on the church council and was twice president of the congregation. He taught the Adult Bible Class along with his wife Louise, and wrote a 75-year history of the church.

He and his wife were avid travelers, visiting many countries on every continent except Antarctica. While Louise documented their trips in numerous travel diaries, he took thousands of slides. For a time they gave travelogues to various local groups.

In 1968, he was a member of a study group that traveled to Europe to examine education on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

In addition to his travels, Dr. Dreisbach loved gardening, spending many hours tending his beloved roses. He was an enthusiastic chess player, and loved all kinds of board games. He and Louise were members of a pinochle club for many years. They enjoyed attending concerts, Broadway musicals and plays, and dance performances, both locally and in New York.

His sense of humor and ability to remember jokes was a delight to all who knew him. He had a notorious sweet tooth, which was kept satisfied by Louise's famous cookie baking. They were a loving, devoted couple who enjoyed life to the fullest.

A viewing will be held Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit Lutheran Church at Fourth and Windsor streets, followed by a service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Friends of Berks County Public Libraries, P.O. Box 689, Leesport, PA 19533-0689.

The Dengler Funeral Home, Inc. of Birdsboro, PA is in charge of arrangements.