CAPT Dean D. Schloyer, DC, USN (Ret.)
Dr. Dean D. Schloyer
March 8, 1943 – November 23, 2025
We announce with deep regret the passing of CAPT Dean D. Schloyer, DC, USN (Ret.)
Dr. Schloyer was a native of Berwick, Pennsylvania, born on March 8, 1943, to Ray and Faustina (Grasley) Schloyer. He attended Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University), and was awarded a Doctor of Dental Surgery from West Virginia University School of Dentistry, a Master of Science in Dentistry (Operative/Dental Materials) from Indiana University (IUPUI), and a Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law (San Diego). Dr. Schloyer served on active duty from 1967 until 1970 and again from 1971 until 1998. (During 1970 – 1971, Dr. Schloyer was on the Operative Dentistry faculty at WVU.)
His assignments included Assistant Dental Officer, Camp Pendleton; Naval Support Activity Danang, Republic of Vietnam, and Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, GA. He served as Instructor, Operative Dentistry, Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Bethesda; Assistant Dental Officer, USS Dixie (AD14); Head, Operative Dentistry, MCRD, San Diego.
Captain Schloyer then served as Director, Branch Dental Clinic, Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Center (San Diego); Director, BDC MCRD, San Diego; Director, BDC 32nd St, Naval Station, San Diego, and Director of Dental Services for the Regional Dental Center. He served as Executive Officer, Naval Dental Center, Pensacola, and Assistant to the Chief, Naval Dental Corps, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. He retired from active duty after serving as Commanding Officer, US Naval Dental Center Europe, Naples, Italy, and US Naval Forces Europe Fleet Dental Officer. While in Italy, he was the Navy representative to the Federal European Tri-services Dental Group.
Dr. Schloyer was a Diplomate of the Army Board of General Dentistry and served on their examining board for six years. Also, a Diplomate of the International College of Dentists, Dr. Schloyer was a charter member of the Academy of Operative Dentistry, a member of the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators, and a lifetime member of the American Dental Association.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, National Defense Service Medal with two bronze stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Navy Expert Rifleman Medal.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Dr. Schloyer managed the multidisciplinary and internationally staffed dental clinic at Saad Specialist Hospital, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and the Correctional Center dental clinic, Huttonsville, WVA, before securing a staff dental position at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, where he practiced clinical dentistry until his final retirement in 2014. Dr. Schloyer was an avid traveler, returning to Italy nearly every year, interacting with the locals and capturing its beauty with photography. He loved cooking and baked bread weekly, long before the pandemic made it popular.
Dr. Schloyer was preceded in death by his parents, his two talented siblings, Ron and Carroll, his faithful adopted sister, Alberta Pensinger, and husband, Red. He is survived by his loving companion of 35 years and wife, Denise Harhai, his accomplished children, daughter Diedre and son Dean (Atsi), grandsons Gyan and Connor, granddaughter Risa, numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. He succumbed to illness and passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
His funeral will be private, with his remains being laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Shuler Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.