Russell Legge Dreyer

Russell Legge Dreyer, 91, of Daniel Island, husband of the late Carolyn Harwell Dreyer of Spartanburg, South Carolina passed away on Monday, July 18, 2011.  The relatives and friends of Russell Dreyer are invited to attend his Memorial Service on Saturday, July 23, 2011 in J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL at 3:00 pm and reception following until 5:30 pm.

Mr. Dreyer was born at home at 118 St. Phillips Street in Charleston on June 2, 1920.  He is the second and last son born to Henry Manning Dreyer and Helen Hernholm Dreyer, both native Charlestonians.  As his father was a lifelong employee of Esso (later becoming Exxon), business moves to Rock Hill, SC, Greenville, SC and finally Columbia, SC were required.  Russell finished Columbia High School and enrolled at the University of SC in Columbia, joining Sigma Chi Fraternity.  He decided to follow in his father's footsteps leaving college and gaining employment with Esso.  As fate would have it, one day after the "day of infamy", he and all of his friends enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Jackson in Columbia.  The army's training and testing revealed an aptitude which led him to Carlsbad, NM for Army Air Corp navigator/bombardier school. He graduated and became an instructor there. Fearful that he would not see action, he requested and was sent on active duty to the China/Burma theatre. Surviving the war and promoted to Captain in the Army Air Corp, he returned to Columbia with his great friends and to his family.  He married Carolyn Harwell in October of 1947 and honeymooned in New York City and Niagara Falls.  They were soon transferred to Anderson, SC where their two sons were born.  Peaceful times allowed for raising the family, hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, traveling, bridge, bowling, Lion's Club, Elk's Club, Offices in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, etc. Summers at the family fishing cottage at Edisto, SC or later their beach house at the Isle of Palms, pet dogs, and gardening became mainstays in the family's life.  He was transferred to Spartanburg, SC in 1963, where he would finish his children's education, enjoy his pastimes, and eventually retire from Exxon in 1982. His wife of 60 years was lost in the summer of 2007.  All who have known him will remember him as a devoted husband, kind and understanding father, a congenial friend, a perfect gentleman and one who brought a graceful happiness and heartwarming smile wherever he went.

  He is survived by his two sons, Russell H. Dreyer, MD and his wife, Valary, of Daniel Island, SC and John H. Dreyer and his wife, Noi, of Lexington, SC, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carolyn Harwell Dreyer and one brother, H.M. Dreyer, Jr.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SC DNR c/o Saltwater Fishing, PO Box 167, Columbia, SC 29202