Edward L. Dreyer

Edward L. Dreyer, 92, of Livingston died Dec. 13, 2010. He grew up in White Plains, NY, during the Great Depression and was a longtime resident of Short Hills.

Mr. Dreyer was the CEO of Adamas Carbide, which he purchased after World War II as Forged Carbide, which produced tungsten carbide. He moved the plant from Long Island to Harrison and then built a larger plant in Kenilworth. He retired after selling the business in 1980.

He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1939 with a BS in economics.

Shortly after World War II broke out, he joined the Navy and completed a “90-day wonder” officer-training program on the U.S.S. Prairie State, docked at 125th Street in New York City. He was later sent to the Pacific and eventually became commanding officer of a submarine chaser near Okinawa, and later of an ocean-going tugboat.

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Deeply committed to philanthropy and community service, he served as past president of Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ, and received the Endowment Achievement Award in 1994. The Jewish Historical Society of MetroWest honored him at its spring gala in 1999. He was a past board member of Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest, United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ, and the Anti-Defamation League. He was also Major Gifts Event Chair of United Jewish Appeal of MetroWest NJ and a member of UJA’s Achim Division, the highest level of giving. He was a Benefactor-level member of the Jewish Community Foundation’s Lester Society.

He was a member of Temple Sinai, Summit, and visited Israel many times.

He was a trustee at Overlook Hospital in Summit and at the Matheny School and Hospital in Peapack. An endowment in his name provides annual scholarships at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass. He was also a major contributor to the Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, and to Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

He is survived by his wife, Rose (Morey); a son, John R.; a daughter, Nancy; and a grandchild.

Services were held Dec. 16 at Temple Sinai, Summit, with arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston. Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest.