Denny was a big man with a big heart. A true "Gentle Giant". He loved flying his World War II T-6 airplane.
Fly safe Denny on your flight West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky, Where pilots can go, when they have to die- A place where a guy can go and buy a cold beer For a friend and comrade, whose memory is dear; A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread, Nor management type would ere be caught dead; Just a quaint little place, kinda dark and full of smoke, Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke; The kind of place where a lady could go And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go, When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low, Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young, And the songs about flying and dying are sung, Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before. And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door; Who would buy you a drink if your thirst should be bad, And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy You had not seen for years, though he taught you how to fly. He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear, And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here. "For this is the place where true flyers come, "When the journey is over, and the war has been won "They've come here to at last to be safe and alone From the government clerk and the management clone, "Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise Where the hours are happy, and these good ol'boys "Can relax with a cool one, and a well-deserved rest; "This is Heaven, my son -- you've passed your last test!"
Our condolences to all friends and family. Dennis was a great person. I'll always remember his smile and laugh. And of course when he took me up in his T-6, WOW! Rest in peace Dennis. Whenever I hear a prop plane flying over, I'll look up and expect to see Dennis flying overhead. God Bless! You'll be missed.
Hearing about Dennis was quite a jolt. He’s one of those people you think will always be there. In high school when we would do the cheer to announce members of the basketball team at the beginning of games, I’d always choose Dennis to announce because we were both “skis.”
Lost touch with him until several years later, when my dad kept his ultra light at Dennis’ air strip hangar in Marengo. Dad and Dennis became really good buddies and spent a lot of time together. Whenever I’d visit Dad, he would never fail to suggest “Let’s go see Dennis!” One absolutely outstanding day, I was lucky enough to fly with Dennis in his AT6 Trainer. We flew over our home in Crystal Lake, up to Lake Geneva, then back to Marengo. It was an unbelievably beautiful experience!
In 2000 on Dad’s 80th birthday, Dennis (& his then-wife Debbie) hosted a surprise party for him. More happy memories Dennis went out of his way to create. Unfortunately, five years later, we lost Dad. At his service, we played the old Paul Petersen version of “My Dad.” Right after that, the funeral director asked if anyone would like to say a few words. Dennis was the first to step up. The first thing he said was…”He was my dad, too.” Thinking back on that brings tears to my eyes, and I think of it often. The following day, seeing my grandson sitting alone and looking a little lost, Dennis asked for permission to invite him along for the fly-over he had planned when we gathered at the cemetery. Dennis’ fly-over was such a touching tribute. Dad would have loved it.
We didn’t see Dennis as often after that, but he would drop by at least once every summer while I was in Crystal Lake and we’d visit for a few minutes. My brother Art and he would catch up on the phone every now and then. Weird, but Art and I would bump into him most unexpectedly…once at Red’s Pizza in Harvard, and the last time, at Mr. A’s! How thankful I am now that we had that last opportunity to spend a little time with Dennis sharing a meal and talking about, among other things, the good old days.
Yes, he was a gentle giant…a big, kind, generous, thoughtful, sensitive gentle giant, and he will be sorely missed.
Heartfelt condolences and prayers to Jason and all of his family. God bless…
Jeanne Tatman (Payne)
So very sorry to hear about Dennis. Prayers to his family.
Pat Farrow (Wolff)
So sorry to hear this, prayers to the family.
Keith Rowe
Sorry to hear about Dennis' passing. My sympathies to his family.
Gary Jenson
We all will miss Dennis with deep sorrow
Gary. J
Gary Jenson
David Graham
Denny was a big man with a big heart. A true "Gentle Giant". He loved flying his World War II T-6 airplane.
Fly safe Denny on your flight West
I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to die-
A place where a guy can go and buy a cold beer
For a friend and comrade, whose memory is dear;
A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,
Nor management type would ere be caught dead;
Just a quaint little place, kinda dark and full of smoke,
Where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke;
The kind of place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know.
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low,
Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,
And the songs about flying and dying are sung,
Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before.
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door;
Who would buy you a drink if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the others, "He was quite a good lad!"
And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy
You had not seen for years, though he taught you how to fly.
He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,
And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here.
"For this is the place where true flyers come,
"When the journey is over, and the war has been won
"They've come here to at last to be safe and alone
From the government clerk and the management clone,
"Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise
Where the hours are happy, and these good ol'boys
"Can relax with a cool one, and a well-deserved rest;
"This is Heaven, my son -- you've passed your last test!"
Author: Capt. Michael J. Larkin
George Veugeler
Our condolences to all friends and family. Dennis was a great person. I'll always remember his smile and laugh. And of course when he took me up in his T-6, WOW! Rest in peace Dennis. Whenever I hear a prop plane flying over, I'll look up and expect to see Dennis flying overhead. God Bless! You'll be missed.
George and Ruthann
Susan Stackowski (Smyth)
Hearing about Dennis was quite a jolt. He’s one of those people you think will always be there. In high school when we would do the cheer to announce members of the basketball team at the beginning of games, I’d always choose Dennis to announce because we were both “skis.”
Lost touch with him until several years later, when my dad kept his ultra light at Dennis’ air strip hangar in Marengo. Dad and Dennis became really good buddies and spent a lot of time together. Whenever I’d visit Dad, he would never fail to suggest “Let’s go see Dennis!” One absolutely outstanding day, I was lucky enough to fly with Dennis in his AT6 Trainer. We flew over our home in Crystal Lake, up to Lake Geneva, then back to Marengo. It was an unbelievably beautiful experience!
In 2000 on Dad’s 80th birthday, Dennis (& his then-wife Debbie) hosted a surprise party for him. More happy memories Dennis went out of his way to create. Unfortunately, five years later, we lost Dad. At his service, we played the old Paul Petersen version of “My Dad.” Right after that, the funeral director asked if anyone would like to say a few words. Dennis was the first to step up. The first thing he said was…”He was my dad, too.” Thinking back on that brings tears to my eyes, and I think of it often. The following day, seeing my grandson sitting alone and looking a little lost, Dennis asked for permission to invite him along for the fly-over he had planned when we gathered at the cemetery. Dennis’ fly-over was such a touching tribute. Dad would have loved it.
We didn’t see Dennis as often after that, but he would drop by at least once every summer while I was in Crystal Lake and we’d visit for a few minutes. My brother Art and he would catch up on the phone every now and then. Weird, but Art and I would bump into him most unexpectedly…once at Red’s Pizza in Harvard, and the last time, at Mr. A’s! How thankful I am now that we had that last opportunity to spend a little time with Dennis sharing a meal and talking about, among other things, the good old days.
Yes, he was a gentle giant…a big, kind, generous, thoughtful, sensitive gentle giant, and he will be sorely missed.
Heartfelt condolences and prayers to Jason and all of his family. God bless…