The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Dennis Thayer Inducted 2023 - Class of 1964
Dennis Thayer is a 1964 Graduate of Woodward High School. He attended Riverside Elementary and grew up in the North End across from Riverside Park.
After graduation, Dennis attended the University of Toledo. While at UT Dennis pursued and earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Specialist degrees in Education. He has furthered his education by taking graduate classes at the University of Toledo, Bowling Green, The Ohio State University, and Ohio University.
Dennis is an educator with a forty-year-plus distinguished career primarily with the Toledo Public Schools as a teacher, principal, counselor, and Assistant Director of Elementary Education. Dennis has been a teacher and guidance counselor at Libbey and Scott High Schools as well as an Assistant Principal at Fulton Elementary School.
Dennis’s career has given him cause to work with professional organizations such as the Toledo
Association of Elementary Principals, St. Ursula/ St. Francis Local Professional Development Committee, numerous committees for the Toledo Public Schools, the Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel, and the Ohio Association of Public-School Administrators.
Dennis has served as a volunteer with the Rotary Club of Reynolds Corners, St Paul’s Community Center Board as Vice President of their Board, Grace United Methodist Church, the Just Pancakes Program and Salem Lutheran Church. In his own words, Dennis has always tried to follow his personal philosophy of “always trying to become as involved in any organization as I could.”
While he was at Woodward, Dennis was Finance Director of the Student Council and Vice–President of the Aquatatis Literary Society, Archon (President) of the Stantz DeMolay Chapter. It is evident that Dennis's Philosophy has aided him well in his academic, professional, and volunteerism throughout his life.
During his time at University of Toledo, Dennis was President of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and Secretary of the Inter–Fraternity council.
Who were your best friends while attending Woodward? Bill Reinbolt, George Gusses, Dick Hoffman, and Rick Lovett.
Did you have a nickname at Woodward? DT
What were your favorite memories at Woodward? My favorite memories of Woodward are spending time with friends, going to football and basketball games, Student Council, organizing parties at the Macomber Lodge in Pearson Park for the Aquatatis, and working on the Tattler.
What important or humorous things happened to you at Woodward? I learned a lot! I met great people and still have many as friends today.
Who were your favorite teachers and why? Dave McMurray, Marie Williamson, and Thelma White. All were knowledgeable and great teachers.
Did any of the staff members have a profound effect on you? Who? In what way did they affect you? I went into education, so all the staff had to have a profound effect on me. Dennis credits Marie Williamson with inspiring him and while he was on Student Council, he developed a friendship with David Krost.
Are you married? Tell us about your family. Dennis and his wife Jean have been married for fifty-two years. They have three children: Craig, Becky, and Stephanie, and nine grandchildren: Landon, Sam, Addison, Owen, Sasha, Grant, Dawson, Brooklyn, and Cole.
What are your hobbies? Dennis’s hobbies include reading, Tai Chi, walking, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
How did you feel when informed of this honor? I consider this the highest honor I have received.