Merritt Conrad Hyers (July 31, 1933 – March 23, 2013) was an American historian of religion and ordained Presbyterian minister.
[2] He taught for many years at Gustavus Adolphus College, and wrote multiple books on humor in religion and on Zen Buddhism.
[4] In 1986 he was the inaugural winner of the Gustavus Scholarly Accomplishment Award of the college, "the highest accolade a Gustavus faculty member can receive for distinguished scholarly achievements".
[4] In 1977 and 1978, after first arriving at Gustavus Adolphus, Hyers and his family rented an 1850-era house in St. Peter.
[6] Hyers died on March 23, 2013, in East Fallowfield Township, Pennsylvania.