Hans Carl Dreher of Saint Johns, FL, passed away at Baptist Medical Center South, Jacksonville, FL on June 2, 2024. Hans was born on March 1, 1931, in Kingston, PA. His parents emigrated from Bavaria, Germany to America looking for a better life. Hans grew up speaking fluent German and English. At age 3, he was serving as a translator for his mother, who was still learning English. The family moved to Trucksville, PA in 1934 to a house that his father built. He was a member of at St. Therese’s Catholic Church in Shavertown and served as an altar boy.
Hans attended Wyoming Seminary Prep School, hitchhiking from Trucksville to campus in Kingston. He worked weekends with his father in the family’s shop, fabricating machines for various businesses. There he learned metalwork on lathes and milling machines. Hans studied engineering at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, graduating in 1954 with degrees in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. At Lehigh, Hans became captain of the fencing team and joined ROTC. Following graduation, he accepted an engineering job with General Electric Company but took a job deferment to join the United States Air Force, becoming a jet fighter pilot.
Following his service in the Air Force, Hans returned to General Electric Company, eventually moving to Syracuse, NY. At a party in Syracuse in 1958, Hans met the love of his life, Diana Mallinson. The two began dating and were married on September 26, 1959, at St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Syracuse. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. Diana and Hans moved to Lynchburg, VA in 1959 and started a family. While in Lynchburg, he qualified as a Professional Engineer. In 1963, Hans accepted a job with General Cigar Company, and the family moved to Dallas, PA. At General Cigar, Hans was able to work alongside his father, John. General Cigar opened a division named Culbro Machine Systems, specializing in designing and manufacturing packaging machinery, and Hans was promoted to President. Hans was granted multiple United States patents for his industrial inventions. Hans and Diana raised their family in Dallas, not far from his parent’s house, and remained there for 52 years. They made many dear friends in the area and were able to stay involved in their children and grandchildren’s lives. In 2015, Hans and Diana moved to Saint Johns, FL, partly to be closer to their two youngest grandchildren, and were excited to be able to attend their school functions and sporting events.
Throughout their time together, Hans and Diana took great joy in spending time with family and friends and traveling. They were able to visit family in Canada, Germany, England, and South Africa; and many destinations in Europe, South America, and China. They spent 10 winters in The Villages, FL enjoying golf, pickleball, and dining out. Hans was passionate about learning. He loved technology, trains, and online classes. He was a quiet man with practical wisdom. He never spoke poorly about anyone; his only aversions were fish, rice, and kohlrabi.
Hans is survived by his loving wife Diana Dreher and their children Linda Krebs (Tom), Susan Brussock (Peter) and Chris Dreher (Nikoll). He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Kirsten Krebs Koons (Dustin), Katrina Krebs Moyer (Derek), Nicholas Brussock (Haley), Lia Brussock, Aden Dreher, and Callan Dreher; and 3 great grandchildren. Hans was preceded in death by his parents, Gisela (Gretler) and John Albert Dreher.
A visitation for Florida friends will be held at Hardage-Giddens Mandarin Funeral Home at 11801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 on Thursday, June 13, from 4:00-6:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hans’ favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/, or the charity of one’s choice.
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