TOPSHAM

Those who knew Steve Dyer say that the late School Administrative District 75 business manager treated everyone with respect and kindness. Many have tales of how special Dyer made them feel.

Dyer, 57, of Greene died unexpectedly on July 20, and school officials and those he worked with were reeling after the news.

Dyer had served as business manager since 2009. School board members described him as generous, kind and a true gentleman who will be greatly missed.

Dyer’s work in SAD 75 was just the latest in a long career in public service in Maine. He was a public works director in Sanford from 1987-89 and served as Bowdoinham’s town manager from 1989 to 1994. He went on to serve as town manager in Monmouth until 2004 and town manager in Oakland until 2008.

Raised in Cumberland Center, Dyer graduated from Greely High School in 1977 and attended the University of Maine where he was involved in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and earned his degree in civil engineering in 1983.

After his undergraduate studies, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving two out of four years in Germany and reached the rank of sergeant. When he returned to the U.S., he obtained his master’s in business administration from Western New England College and headed back to Maine.

SAD 75 school board member Joanne Rogers said Dyer always had the answer to questions related to his department, and was the first to admit if he made a mistake. Having served 31 years on the school board, Rogers has worked with a lot of business managers.

“Steve was open, he knew his job, and he was always there,” she said.

She knew she could call him early in the morning if she had a question. He told her it was nice and quiet then so he could get work done. She had just talked to him before he died and after she got an answer she needed. Dyer told her he had to run, “and he said I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

The district is moving forward with planning for a new high school and approaches budget season. “Obviously we will manage, but it won’t be the same,” Rogers said.

Rogers wasn’t the only board member struggling to comprehend the loss.

Board member Kim Totten said Friday said Dyer was very dedicated and had a wealth of knowledge to help direct the district.

“I valued his opinion,” she said. “I used to say he was so tight that he squeaked, and meant it as a compliment, because if he could find the district savings, he would do it. By the same respect, if he advised the district needed to spend money, it was always something the district needed to move forward in a positive direction.”

Dyer had a stressful job. It’s difficult to talk about money in communities where people are on fixed incomes, Totten said. But Dyer had a calmness that would defuse simmering emotions, could explain budgets and was ready to talk to anybody. He loved finance, loved numbers and just loved life, she said.

“It’s a huge blow to the district and everybody — anybody who’s ever had to deal with him,” Totten said.

He was also there for her as a friend, helping her through some tough times.

“I definitely owe him a lot and hopefully I will be able to continue in the direction he helped guide me to. That’s how I will honor him,” she said.

Board member David Johnson and Dyer were fraternity brothers at UMO in the ’70s. Having served on the school board 20 years, Johnson said Dyer was an incredible business manager who could recall lines from the multi-million dollar budget from memory, and took time to answer questions from members of the public as well as school officials.

He was known for greeting board members before meetings with a smile. Even at UMO as a young man, Johnson remembers Dyer as a caring person who connected with people.

“That was his great gift,” Johnson said. “I was blessed to have really become reacquainted with him.”

The two always ended up talking about their families and how their children were doing, “and he had such a great pride in his son and daughter, and he was so darn happy. He got married in the last year,” Johnson said.

No one was looking forward to future board meetings where Dyer won’t be in the audience waiting to give his financial report.

All that Dyer could do as a business manager was appreciated, Johnson said, but was nothing compared to the person and friend he was.

“Steve was a remarkable man,” said SAD 75 Superintendent Brad Smith. “He lightened up a room with his presence, his humor, his stories and passion. I’ve never known a man who enjoyed so many parts of life … first and foremost his family.

“He has friends all across Maine who enjoyed his many interests, like golfing, fishing and travel,” Smith added. “He loved his country, proudly serving in the Army, which made such an impact on him that lasted a lifetime. There is probably not a person or place in Maine that Steve couldn’t tell you about. It seemed as if he knew everyone, and various details about that person. Probably because Steve was such a ‘people person,’ so likable and easy to talk to that people opened up to him.”

Dyer was the first one in every morning, setting an example for others by his own work ethic, Smith said. Part of the district leadership team, he was involved in decision making that extended far beyond the finances.

“We can get another business manager, but we can’t get another Steve Dyer,” Rogers said, “and that’s exactly how I feel about him.”

A celebration of life will be held at Springbrook Golf Course in Leeds on Saturday, July 30 from 4-8 p.m., with a service at 5 p.m.