A native of Stewartsville, Dr. Dyer was born Dec. 7, 1939, in St. Joseph. He graduated from the Stewartsville school system in 1957. He attended Graceland College from 1957 to 1959 before completing his undergraduate education with a bachelor’s of science degree in education and lifetime teaching certificate from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg in 1961. He taught high school biology at William Chrisman High School in Independence for one year but was encouraged to pursue a career in medicine by a fellow teacher. He matriculated at the University of Missouri School of Medicine the next year and graduated in the top of his class in 1966. While he had considered several areas of medicine, he was guided toward a career in dermatology by Philip Anderson, MD, who became a mentor and lifelong friend. He interned at Kansas City General Hospital and Medical Center in Kansas City and completed his dermatology residency at the University of Missouri in 1970. He was a major in the U.S. Air Force, serving as the chief dermatologist at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., from 1970 to 1972. He then returned to the University of Missouri, joining the dermatology faculty as an assistant professor from 1972 to 1974. He returned to St. Joseph in 1974 and began his dermatology practice. Dr. Dyer was board-certified in both dermatology and dermatopathology. Although he sold the practice in 2007, he continued working in the busy office until his death.

Dr. Dyer was a natural, dedicated and lifelong teacher. Despite his busy practice, Dr. Dyer also served as a clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Missouri, and he continued to return to Columbia, often monthly, where his lectures to the dermatology residents were a favorite and greatly valued part of their curriculum. Dr. Dyer also frequently served as a preceptor for medical students rotating from the University of Missouri medical school in the St. Joseph area.

Dr. Dyer received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career. He received the Leadership Award from the Buchanan County Medical Society in 2006 and the Outstanding Missourian Award from the Missouri House of Representatives in 2005. He was named Practitioner of the Year by the Dermatology Foundation in 2004. He received a Faculty Alumni Award from the University of Missouri and the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Missouri Medical Alumni Organization. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society while in medical school.

Dr. Dyer was active in many societies and organizations on local, state and national levels, and he was often asked to serve in leadership positions. He served as president of the following: the Missouri State Medical Association, the University of Missouri Medical Alumni Organization, the University of Missouri Medical School Foundation, the Missouri Dermatological Society, the Kansas City Dermatological Society and the Buchanan County Medical Society. Dr. Dyer was an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, serving as chair of several committees, including the Council on Member Services, the Member Services Committee and the risk management task force, and served on numerous other committees and task forces. Dr. Dyer was often pulled out of "retirement" for his valued guidance and input on these committees. He served as alternate delegate for Missouri to the American Medical Association from 1998 to 2001.

Dr. Dyer was a member of multiple organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology, Missouri Dermatological Society, Sir James Saunders Society, History of Dermatology Society, Missouri State Medical Association and Southern Medical Association.

Dr. Dyer authored more than 30 publications in a variety of journals. He delivered more than 150 presentations at local, state, national and international meetings and was author of nine resolutions to the Missouri State Medical Association.

In addition to his service on the national and state level, Dr. Dyer contributed to his local community in many ways. He was a founding contributor of Beta Chi Pi science honorary for St. Joseph high school students. He started the annual free skin cancer detection clinic in St. Joseph and delivered dermatologic care without charge to both the St. Joseph Social Welfare Clinic and the Noyes Home for children for more than 30 years.

Dr. Dyer was a longtime member of Community of Christ Church, serving as a deacon. He was a former member of the Benton Club.

Dr. Dyer had many interests outside of his practice, including farming, genealogy, croquet and Sherlock Holmes studies. An expert on the history of Nichols Sanitorium in Savannah, Mo., his most recent project focused on researching the life of Galen Bishop, MD.

One of Dr. Dyer’s most closely held principles was the importance of giving back to his profession, training institutions and his community. His philanthropy was recognized by membership in the Jefferson Club of the University of Missouri and the McAlester Society of the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He was a member of the Dermatology Foundation Leaders Society, Annenberg Circle and the Society of 1906 of the Southern Medical Association. Dr. Dyer, along with others, established a dermatology endowment via the University of Missouri Medical School Foundation. He was committed to fostering research and academic endeavors and established the Dyer Dermatology Research Fund at the University of Missouri Department of Dermatology. He also supported his undergraduate schools, Graceland University and Central Missouri State University. His community support included: St. Joseph Symphony - Musician’s Circle, the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, Allied Arts Council, Noyes Home, Cotillion for Achievement, Camp Quality, Missouri Western State University - Biology Research, St. Joseph Historical Society, Boy Scouts of America and Community of Christ Church.

Dr. Dyer treasured his family, which was always the focus of his life. He took great pride in his children and their accomplishments, and they greatly valued his advice and counsel. One of Dr. Dyer’s greatest joys in his later years was spending time with his grandchildren. He married the former Eileen Meehan on Aug. 23, 1969.

He is survived by Eileen, of the home; his sister, Karen K. Dyer of Independence; three children; and six grandchildren. A son, Jonathan Alden Dyer, MD, and his wife, Carla A. Dyer, MD — both MU School of Medicine graduates and faculty members — and their children, Grace Anne, Katherine Thayer and Alexander Alden, reside in Columbia. His daughter, Julie Anne Dyer Brokaw, RPT, and her husband, Scott Brokaw, reside in Raymore with their children, Anna Elizabeth, Andrew Philip and Alden Henry. His son, Jared Thomas Dyer, BS, lives in St. Joseph. He is also survived by his aunt, Norma Hinderks of St. Joseph.

Dr. Dyer was preceded in death by his parents, Alden O. Dyer and Violet L. Dyer, both of Stewartsville.

Dr. Dyer requested donations be submitted to the Dyer Dermatology Research Fund, c/o University of Missouri Medical School Foundation, No. 1 Hospital Drive, DC205.00, Columbia, Mo., 65212. Or, call the school at (573) 882-5371, toll free (866) 260-4517.