Richard (Dick) Overmyer ’56 Professor Emeritus of Communication Arts
Richard “Dick” Overmyer ’56, professor emeritus of communication arts, died on May 13, 2019. Overmyer graduated from Allegheny with a B.A. in theater and then served in the entertainment section of the U.S. Army Special Services Division. After earning his Master of Fine Arts degree, he taught at San Jose State College and was head of the drama department at Southwestern College in California. He also served as the scene designer and technical director for the Lakewood Little Theater in Lakewood, Ohio, and as director of the S.T.V. Players of the American Turnverein Association of Cleveland. Overmyer joined the Allegheny faculty in 1966 and served as managing director of the Playshop Theatre, where he also performed in and directed many productions. Overmyer was conferred emeritus status when he retired in 1998. “I try to make theater accessible; it is a mirror of society,” Overmyer told Allegheny magazine in 1993. “When students read a play in which they can identify with a character or situation, they are excited.” Following his career at Allegheny, he served as director of the Academy Theatre in Meadville. He enjoyed reading, walking, playing poker and working in his woodshop. Overmyer was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Masterson Overmyer ’55, who served as head of the College’s costume shop. He is survived by one daughter, Katherine Cooper ’89; one son, Michael Overmyer ’92; one sister, Melinda Sharrit; one brother, Ed Overmyer; and six grandchildren.