Michael Hans Dreher

Michael Hans Dreher passed away on October 8, 2019 due to pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Kerry Mills Dreher of Keller, his daughter Lisa Dreher of Laredo, his daughter Christine Dreher-Bush of North Richland Hills, his son Matthias Dreher, who lives in Europe, and grandsons William Bush and Samuel Bush, of North Richland Hills.

Mike was born on May 31st, 1947 in Koenigsbronn, Germany to Wilhelm and Gisela Dreher. He joined the German Air Force at the age of 18 and rose through the ranks to become a fighter pilot, even winning the Top Gun competition while stationed in the United States in 1969. His military career brought him to North Texas, where he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX, first as a student and later as an instructor pilot while taking part in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.

Mike loved Texas and chose to remain after his retirement from the military. It was here that he met his wife, Kerry, and they traveled the world together from Berlin to Bangkok before settling in the DFW area.

After his military service, Mike was also a successful businessman, finally serving as the CEO of Kannegiesser USA until 2017. He worked long hours and flew everywhere on business trips but always looked forward to coming home and spending time with his family.

He enjoyed drinking light beer, especially Modelo, and eating Haribo candy. He also liked staying up at night to watch the news and then Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, all the while drinking a glass of bourbon and talking with his daughter.

Besides traveling and sailing, Mike and Kerry enjoyed bike riding, driving around in Mike’s beloved blue and white VW Beetle with the top down, watching movies, visiting family, and even working puzzles. Mike finally convinced Kerry to get into a small 4-seater plane and fly around the North Texas area. That took some good persuading.

Even in his second retirement, Mike had boundless energy for work. He became an instructor pilot again, this time for a private company in 2018, bringing his love of flying to a new generation of students. Mike was also very passionate about sailing, and rarely happier than when he was on his boat with family and friends, the wind at his back and the sun upon his smiling face.

His kindness, compassion, and love of life were an inspiration to all who were lucky enough to know him, and he will be missed by many.

Mike’s funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on Friday, October 11th, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, TX.