Dennis Breyer

Dennis P. Breyer passed into eternal life on May 2, 2013, at the age of 70. He was preceded in death just one month ago by his wife of 50 years, Linda L. Breyer. He was also preceded in death by his father, John and mother, Margaret. Dennis is survived by his loving children Alex Breyer (Gail), Beth Breyer-Mbise (Lamech) and Julie Bissey (Michael); cherished grandchildren Phillip Mbise, Margaret Mbise, Collin Bissey, and Jacob Bissey; as well as his dear siblings John Breyer (Patricia), Jim Breyer (Evelyn), Michael Breyer (Sharen), and Mary Ellen Dercks (Jerry). Dennis also leaves behind many other family, friends, and former colleagues in Ohio and around the world.

Dennis was a hard-working and giving person who wanted to make the world a better place. He attended Catholic school as a boy and was active in Boy Scouts, especially enjoying activities in Order of the Arrow and learning about Native Americans.

As a young adult, he attended the University of Illinois. There he met and married Linda. The two of them spent years pursuing shared interests, as well as caring for her as her abilities deteriorated due to post-polio syndrome. He was an active father whose children's many activities formed a focal point of his days during their younger years. Besides working full-time, often into the evening hours, Dennis also was responsible for shopping, yard work, and driving family to functions and appointments.

In his early career, Dennis sold product for steel companies and for Hunt-Wesson. More notably, he spent 30-plus years working as a District Executive for the Boy Scouts of America. This calling tied into his desire to shape boys into community leaders. His footprint on BSA was huge, beginning in Urbana, IL, continuing in Madison, WI and Cincinnati, OH, and concluding in Zanesville, OH. His efforts in Scouting affected thousands of lives.

Dennis was also the Troop Master of Troop 468, which met at Trinity United Methodist Church in Milford, OH. His leadership began in 1979 and lasted six years. He was a dynamic leader who made the Scouting experience come alive for boys in his care. He encouraged living the Boy Scout Promise, Motto, and Law daily. He took boys camping, canoeing, hiking, and tried to ensure everyone participated.

Dennis enjoyed membership in the service organization Rotary International. He served as president of the Milford, OH club and also administered Rotary Youth Exchange. He and Linda hosted eight foreign exchange students in their home, keeping in touch with many of them over the years.

Gardening was a huge passion for Dennis. He favored plants both useful and aesthetically pleasing: flowers, vegetables, fruit, trees, and bushes. Neighbors admired his considerable landscaping. Fresh and canned produce from his gardens provided for the family year round.

Before it became the popular lifestyle choice it is today, Dennis tried to live Green. He was an avid reader of Mother Earth News and attempted to help the environment through personal actions. With their love for both the outdoors and history, he and Linda took the family on many camping trips, staying in state parks near historical places of interest throughout the Midwest and the East Coast.

Dennis spent years with Linda researching the family's genealogy, putting together a history for other family members to enjoy. Over the years they met several distant relatives around the world.

Politics was a strong interest and Dennis was active in the Democratic Party. He campaigned for several state and federal candidates, helping with fund raising and encouraging citizens to vote.

The family feels blessed to have had such a giving father who encouraged us to work hard, pursue our dreams, and help improve the community. We feel great sorrow that he suffered in these past few years, but we are comforted by the fact that he is joined again to his wife in the afterlife.