The world lost an incredible man when Ivan Leland Dyreng, Jr passed on January 2 , 2022. He was born in Manti, Utah on July 30, 1934, the 7th of 8 children to Ivan Leland and Mabel Reid Dyreng. He enjoyed 67 years married to the love of his life, Elaine van den Boogert after they married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 9, 1954.
Those who met Ivan couldn’t help but love him. His kind heart, sense of humor, and sharp intellect were all with him until the end, as were his songs, jokes and stories, endearing him to all those who knew him. Ivan found his calling in life as a high school teacher, teaching science at East High School for most of his 36 year career. He started the East High Science Club, later winning national awards for his visionary teaching methods and commitment to excellence. He loved geology, writing limericks, telling stories, calling cows, visiting Disneyland annually for over 50 years beginning when it opened in 1955, as well as traveling the world extensively on 5 continents. The Netherlands were a cherished spot to visit with his soulmate, Elaine, as he adopted her heritage as his own.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Elaine, their 4 children: Russell (Trisha) Dyreng, Judy (Scott) Thompson, Douglas (Jenny) Dyreng and Karen (Jim) Stucker; 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, older sister Maxine Andrews, and younger brother David Dyreng. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leland, Gail and Garth, and sisters Doris Simmons and Norma Nelson.
Our family wishes to thank Dr. Fred Gottlieb and Good Shepard Hospice, and the loving staff at Sunrise of Holladay for the incredible care they provided him over the last 15 months.
Funeral services will be held at the Emigration Stake Center, 589 East 18th Ave, Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, January 8 at 11:00am, with a viewing from 9:30-10:45am.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Interment: Ogden City Cemetery
And in honor of Ivan, a parting limerick…
There once was a teacher named Dyreng,
At 87 his time was expiring,
Through stories and jokes he taught all kinds of folks,
And his influence on all was inspiring.
For those who wish to join via Zoom, may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89172646276
I have very fond memories of Geography class and the East high school summer science trips. And the calling of the cows on the science trip. Will be a highlight of my life. Condolences to the family and best wishes always. Ann Penman
Dr. During was always an inspiration to me. And I loved his fun sense of humor! He believed in me. And became a mentor and friend. I now shed tears for the family of a great man! My prayers will be with you all!
So sorry for your loss we will miss him dearly but he's in a better place is we can't get to his service because we live a far distance to get there will view his service online family is forever from his niece
Condolences to the family for their loss. Mr. Dyreng was an awesome teacher and made learning fun. Doug you are the one I knew the best, good times all those years ago - prayers for you and your family. Roy Yuill
Sorry to hear of the passing of a long time friend. We met many years ago at the University of Utah, in an Academic Year Institute program. Ivan has always been a true friend over the years. We wish the best to his family. He was truly a friend that touched many people in a positive way. He left his mark on a great number of people, including me.
Doug, I’m sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was one of the good ones! My one claim to fame in high school was toilet papering your house and never getting caught. My friend and I knew the rumors that if you got caught, he’d call your parents and have them send you over to clean it up. We never said a word about it to anyone at school.
I loved going on a Science Club float trip with your dad where he dubbed me “Leather Lungs ” and my friend “Motor Mouth.” Such fond memories of him.
You are blessed to have him as your father.
~Marianne from University Pharmacy
Mr. Dyreng was my favorite teacher ever. Such a kind and caring man. I send many thanks to his daughter Karen for keeping in touch with me. He was truly a classic and will be sorely missed.
I am so saddened at the loss of Mr. Dyreng. I have such wonderful memories of our East High Science Club and our wonderful and exciting "Big Trips" at the end of each year. He was also an excellent teacher, instilling in me a lifelong love of and fascinataion with geology. I think the limerick at the end of his obituary is quintessentially him. RIP, Mr. D.
I want to express my sympathy to the Dyreng family. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to be a part of East High Science Club and take geology from Mr. Dyreng. He was a great teacher and mentor.
Mr. D. was a good teacher and a good friend. I have such fond memories of his classes at both Bryant and East High. Some of my greatest memories are from Science Club trips, going from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone. I remember on one of those trips running around Jackson Hole. Mr. D. told us to not run around outside because a volcano erupted and the air isn't healthy. We thought he was just trying to corral us because we were getting to wild. It was a great "science teacher" way to do it. Come to find out, Mt. Saint Helens had erupted and the gases were floating over us.
There was no teacher during my high school years who had a stronger positive influence on my experience at East HIgh School than Ivan Dyreng. He took a personal interest in my goals and development as a serious science student in his classes, the science club, the science club trips, and my science fair entries. Mr. Dyreng was a wonderful human being who went well beyond just teaching me the science topic at hand. He was my mentor during those formative years and thereby blessed my life and career significantly.
My condolences to you and your family
Dear Elaine,
Robert and I were talking about Ivan a couple of nights ago and I said I had not received an email or Christmas Card from him in awhile. We looked up Ivan and found that he had passed. How I enjoyed his emails and also the calls I had with Ivan. It was thirty years ago that Ivan made a difference in both our lives. He allowed Robert only eight or nine at the time to be part of one of his courses studying Geology from Utah to Canada and then again along with Robert's friend Adam for the southern exploration. Ivan encouraged Robert to ask questions and included him in all activities. He was a wonderful person and the world has lost a valuable contributor. My heart goes out to you losing such a wonderful partner. With Love Joan and Robert