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Philip Louis Dreyer ’48

Philip Louis Dreyer ’48, November 8, 2003, in Portland, Oregon. After serving in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during World War II, Phillip enrolled at Reed, and graduated with a BA in economics. Following that he was hired as a speechwriter for President Truman, and wrote "whistle-stop" speeches on natural resources, agriculture, and housing. In November 1948, he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives, where he utilized "the best research staff a state representative could have," his former Reed professors. In 1950 he was hired as research director for the Democratic National Committee and wrote various campaign documents. He continued his interest in politics while living in California from 1953 to 1972, where he worked as a building contractor. He married Rosemary Loder in 1949; they raised four children and later divorced. Phillip returned to Oregon in 1972, and joined Common Cause, the No Sales Tax League, and the Democratic Central Committee; and worked in building remodeling. He was active in initiative campaign advocacy and watchdog groups for health care, fair taxes, campaign finance reform, and against Willamette River pollution. His arguments were voiced in public forums and hearings and through numerous newspaper articles. Interests also included board games and sports. For his 50-year reunion, Phillip said, "One of my greatest and fondest activities was the Reed experience." Survivors include two daughters and two sons, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three sisters and a brother.

Appeared in Reed magazine: May 2004