At 10:40pm on Saturday, Dennis peacefully passed away. Surrounded by his family and a swirling snow storm, he took his last breath with grace, dignity, and peace.
There will be a memorial service celebrating Dennis' life on Sunday, February 14 at Philadelphia University. Details will be posted at a later time.
Dennis had requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his honor to a scholarship to benefit his passion, the education of a student at Philadelphia University. Details will be posted at a later time.
I am so grateful and humbled by the vast outpouring of love sent to Dennis during this time. This support paved the way for the peaceful change from his broken body to each of your loving hearts. He will live on in each of us, and for that I sincerely thank each of you.
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Thank you, Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are in our hearts.
Beth and Bob
My sympathies to you and yours during this difficult time. Dennis will be dearly missed by all of us at Altos de Chavon.
ReplyDeleteGood bye, Dennis, my dear friend. Rebecca, Jessica, Tasha, you carried us through this with such warmth and grace. Darsey - you brought us strength when we all needed it most. Thinking of you constantly. Götz
ReplyDeleteNamaste my dear brother. Enjoy the light.
ReplyDeleteFor as long as your heart grieves, may fond memories give you comfort.
ReplyDeleteTo Dennis' Dear Family and Countless Friends,
ReplyDeleteFor now I only can express deep sadness. More than a half century of friendship, guidance and understanding has been stilled. Comfort, over time, will come from the lasting power of Dennis' abundant creative legacy.
Rest my friend. Your well-taught lessons will help us find the way.
Your hometown friend,
David
Dennis was just an exceptional human being. He was always the consummate teacher even before he started a teaching career. He simply made people feel good about their own lives. His passing leaves an emptiness that each of us do our best to fill with something meaningful. My thoughts are with you Rebecca, Darsey, Steffen, Jessica and Tasha.
ReplyDeleteBruce
We will miss you.
ReplyDeleteMuch strength and support to Dennis' family and friends.
Our hearts reach out to you Rebecca,Steffen, Tasha,Jessica and Darcy. You are in our prayers. God Bless,Much Love Rosemarie& A.J.
ReplyDeleteMay you rest in peace my dear friend... Your courage, passion, snese of humor and kind heart will live on in all of us forever.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye, Dennis. Rest in peace. You will be forever in our hearts and minds, and you will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteKaren W.
Goodbye Dennis, we'll miss you. Thoughts and prayers for your family.
ReplyDeleteJW
Goodbye Dennis...you were truly a great and decent man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteJA
Dennis was a good professor. He taught students how to "make cool stuff".
ReplyDeleteDennis was a good colleague. He invested his energy, talent and spirit into Philadelphia University because he believed in our community.
Dennis was a good friend. He shared his talent and wisdom generously and without expectation.
Dennis was a good person. He loved his family, smiled in the face of adversity and success alike and he cared about others more than himself.
Thank you, Dennis.
I had wonderful working relationship with Dennis and while we did not always agree, I respected him and his talents. I will always remember him and his "cool stuff" as well as his interesting sayings and high plains dry humor. He loved his family and we often compared notes on our daughters. The day I offered him the job of dean really sticks in my head as one of the most real and interesting conversations I have had in my life about him, his work and the potential for the Design and Media School. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, daughter and family as well as his friends. God speed buddy.
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Jeff Senese
Rebbecca and family..you are in my thoughts. Dennis' spirit will always be a part of the magic that happens down at that end of Hayward Hall.
ReplyDeletemy thoughts are with you. peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dennis, for your time, patience, guidance and friendship. Not a day goes by that your lessons don't touch my life in some way.
ReplyDeleteAnd even in this trying last year you never stopped doing what you do — teaching.
My heart goes out to Steffen, Rebecca and family, you're in my thoughts.
Shoey
Dear B U 2 FULL Rebecca and all the family,
ReplyDeleteSending my blessings and healing to all of you. May the light of Dennis continue to be felt in your hearts. Sending you my love. Blessings and Namaste. Malka
Dennis, you will be FOREVER missed. Thank you for being such an amazing mentor and friend. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteMy greatest sympathies to your family during this time of change. Dennis was a wonderful professor and he will live on in my thoughts. May you find peace always and forever.
ReplyDeleteI feel an overwhelming pride to say that I knew Dennis. He was an incredible teacher, and overall great human being. What he taught me about design, and his unique outlook on life will last with me forever. My deepest sympathies to his beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteAshley Burrell
Dennis (and Family) thank you for teaching, sharing and creating, not to an end, but to the beginning of something new. sF
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time. Dennis was a colleague of mine at Philadelphia University. His smile and interest in everyone he met, can never be replaced. I am thankful for the memories.
ReplyDeleteBWL
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI remember being so incredibly intimidated by you when we met. I was trying to get into the capped graphic design program at PU. You scared me into believing that maybe I wasn't right for it, but you also encouraged me to try--to take classes, build my portfolio, learn all that I could about graphic design. You lit a fire under me, and soon after, I fell in love with all things design. I knew that I was right for it and didn't see myself ever doing anything else. I guess you did too, because you sent me a congratulatory letter a semester later, (I still have it), telling me that I was now a member of the cool kids club, of which you were the President. You only wanted the best coming in, and you kept us the best coming out. Thank you for guiding me and helping me find my true passion in life by sharing yours. You will live on forever in all of our design hearts. We miss you and will never forget you.
Peace be with you,
Janine
Dear Rebecca, Jess, and Tasha,
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking of you, and wish you comfort and strength at this most difficult of times. Although we didn't know Dennis, he was clearly a most remarkable man. May he live on in the hearts of those who cherish his memory.
Cynthia and Jeff Silber
Dennis, I was not as fortunate as some to have known you. I didn't have you as a professor at Philadelphia University, but you would often visit my classes to say hi and to see what my class was up to. Even though I didn't spend too much time with you, I could tell you were a kind, genuine man. You are an inspiration to us all...to keep fighting and most importantly to keep our spirits high when faced with the most difficult obstacle.
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank your family for sharing your journey with us on this blog. While reading this blog, I felt as if I was briefly invited into your life and could experience the happiness, sadness, and love that you and your family and friends had for one another. You will be missed.
To your family and dearest friends, I hope you find comfort and strength within each other and you are in my thoughts are prayers.
~Christina L.
Rest in Peace and Thank You for everything, Dennis. Your words of advice, humor and encouragement will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. You will be missed.
ReplyDeletePeace and love
Michael K.
All my love to you, Steffen, the girls and Rebecca
ReplyDeleteThe following is from a personal email I sent to Rebecca and the family after the last conversation I had with Dennis about 3 weeks ago. I've decided to share some of it here because I know that I am not alone in feeling this way about him.
ReplyDeleteDennis was not just a colleague of mine or a mentor. In the short 5 years I knew him he became one of my best friends. We spent hours talking about work, life, music, love, and health. And no matter off-the-cuff or serious the discussions were, we always ended up laughing.
He was my Yoda, my Buddha, my Sigmund Freud, and my Butch Cassidy all wrapped in one.
I will miss him dearly, as I know we all will.
Sincerely,
Jason Kernevich
Dennis taught us all, especially this past year, and so I write to express my deep appreciation for the gift that was his life. To Dennis's family and close friends, I offer my condolences and wish you comfort as you celebrate his life through the many great memories you have.
ReplyDeleteJohn Eliason and Family
Spokane, WA
Thank you Dennis for so many fantastic conversations and everything you taught me. You gave me so much that I was never able to thank you for. My thoughts and love go to your family.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes as you continue your journey,
Kevin Sharon
When both Dennis and Rebecca were my professors, I sometimes envisioned that rather than the teacher/student relationship our ages and situation dictated, I could instead spend time with them someday as colleagues, where we'd debate design, joke, and have a good laugh. They just seemed like the kind of people it would be fun to hang out with. I thought they were "cool".
ReplyDeleteSome of Dennis' students were intimidated by him, but I thought he exuded a calm, quiet intelligence that earned my respect and admiration.
Dennis was my senior thesis advisor, and during our final discussion together he told me something I have never forgotten: "We all construct cages for ourselves that limit what we do. Learn to loosen up. Allow yourself to try things and fail. Give yourself permission to open the cage and be free."
Dennis, now that you're free, I hope you see the influence you had on those who knew you.
Chad Brobst (Beaver College '93)
My most fondest memory of Dennis was sipping on mojitos in Altos. Rebecca, I met you once briefly in Altos with your two young and vibrant daughters. The most fondest memory of you that I remember is you saying, in Altos, "Let's just go to the beach." And reluctantly Dennis complied. The very same day, we had a small chat about his daughters and how much he adored them. It was then, I remember hearing my father tell me everyday when he was alive.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart to pieces. I wish you ( Rebecca ) and your family peace and comfort. My thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Diana C. '04
Rebecca and family, my heart is with you. I'm so profoundly sorry to see this day come. I have to say thank you to all of you for sharing your lives and your love for Dennis and his life with all of us. Your honesty and your openness with us was so very real and in many ways was comforting. We felt as though we could walk beside Dennis and keep an eye on him if you will, just as he guided so many of us on our journeys of living life in the art lane.
ReplyDeleteI will forever cherish the afternoon that Dennis so graciously shared with me at your home a few weeks before this past Christmas. We talked about my current paintings and he told me what was working well and what needed improvement and the possibilities that I have only just begun to touch upon. He gave me hope and pointed me in directions that will open new ways for me to think about what it is I'm trying to achieve. And that's what he did so incredibly well! An amazing eye he shared with us all to see things from an entirely new perspective, one in which we often found ourselves saying "oh yeah, you're right, I can see that." I remember asking him, "when will I have the wisdom to see things as you do?" and he simply gave me one of his beautiful signature "Dennis grins" and that made me smile all the more.
On that very cold, but bright sunny day in December, we sat by the fire that was so warm and inviting. He talked about his gallery show at Arcadia and how incredibly proud he was to have standing room only and to have been surrounded by so much love.
He spoke about how insanely proud too he was of his daughters and he showed me their photos, artwork, pictures and we swapped stories of what an amazing blessing it is to raise children (I also have 2 daughters). We talked about his son's amazing talent and how proud his was that it had taken him to incredible heights in his career. He in fact mentioned that that day was his birthday, December 11th if I'm recalling properly, and he paused briefly and that "I'm proud of you son" smile came across his face.
We stepped out just briefly onto the patio so he could point to things he'd built in the yard and how much he loved the house and being there. We spent time in his studio and he showed me his current work, works of the past and what went into creating his show at Arcadia.
We talked candidly about life and our journeys thus far. We shared "the good, the bad and the ugly" stories. We laughed at moments and teared up at others. He spoke eloquently about you Rebecca and how in much in love he was with you and how wonderful his life has been with you in it.
Towards the end of our visit he started to get hungry, so he opened the package of a dark chocolate French macaron that I made for him, and he was happy as a lark. He closed his eyes as he enjoyed the chocolate confection and then he followed through with his good old "Dennis critique," describing in detail how "the shell has a nice crunch followed by the chewy cookie topping, then the explosion of the silky chocolate filling layer in the middle, wow, that's wonderful." In true Dennis fashion. I'm just glad he didn't say that the macaron had too much "fru-fru!"
It was getting late and so we wrapped up our afternoon with a warm embrace and an exchange of "I love you man" phrases. I will cherish that day always. I told him at that moment that what he taught me as a student over 25 years ago carried me well beyond what I could have imagined, and that his voice is a guiding light almost daily, whether it's a graphic design project or creating a new piece of chocolate, he's there with me. All of us who have had the wonderful pleasure of knowing such a great man, have truly been touched by an angel.
I wish all of you the peace and comfort you can find in knowing that Dennis lives on in all of us.
Tom
I am proud to have known Dennis. His zen sage-like ways of teaching how to see the world were instrumental in shaping not only my career, but who I am today. I expect to see some interesting sunsets in the near future...
ReplyDeleteDennis was the reason that I went to Philadelphia University. While on a campus tour, he said that school should be fun. As an 06 graduate from Graphic Design/Digital Design, I can certainly say that it was a great time and a wonderful learning experience.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly remembered as a great mentor and someone who always wanted us students to have fun. Moving forward, we will remember your spirit as we continue to have fun for the rest of our lives.
God Bless
The Stars Have Gained a Light
ReplyDeleteWhat does the obscuring shadow reveal as it passes over
The landscape of a life? Where is the coolness at the end
Of day, at the end of days? Our eyes linger on the forms
The residue of creative struggles to say what one means,
To articulate the vision, the grand obsessions and the
Matter of fact-ness of each day’s strivings to prevail against
The inevitable decline, the insidious creep of chaos, the rust
Of ages, the slipping of the tide toward the horizon.
There is no substitute for artful skill or mindful attention
To the details, the opportunities in the storm, that
Deposits the stuff of life all around us like so much
Driftwood awash on the shore or a seam of colorful clay.
The mortal moments of mystery shine amid the gloom
The spark of insight, the playful whimsy, the light touch
Of the brush on the canvass, the sudden shaft of light
That illuminates the dew bound web of living splendor.
To have had a life close to these elemental things
The sky, the sea, the land and a host of fellow mortals;
To have known beauty and to have ushered it into full view
Rich and vibrant even for an hour upon the stage before
The necessary night falls, the merciful mane of that dark horse
That we ride to the stars, is an unspeakable joy and
A profound privilege.
Good night Dennis, Good Night!
you nurtured, encouraged and inspired many... now rest.
ReplyDelete--take care dennis
Dear Family and Friends of Dennis
ReplyDeleteI was one of the 14 or so students who graduated in 1997 with the first Bachelors of Science in Graphic Design Communication from what was then Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Because it was a brand new curriculum, I had the privilege of having Dennis as my main design professor throughout my college career. Those of us enrolled in the graphic design program really didn’t know what to expect, but as the days and years passed, Dennis used his friendly demeanor, artistic talents, vast knowledge, and fantastic sense of humor to mold our artistically-naive minds into thinking and creating like real graphic designers. He was truly a mentor, inspiring us as we solved our first creative problems in the beginning design fundamentals courses, to helping us and pushing us to achieve our goals during senior thesis.
Being one of his students was a great experience. The studios swarmed with discussions, ideas, constructive criticism, collaboration, laughter—just craziness and activity of a new program, filled with eager students and a dedicated professor, all whirling around as one gigantic creative ball of energy year after year.
I’ll never forget the rounds and rounds of changes he made me do for a logo I was working on for my senior thesis. He just kept telling me the logo wasn’t there yet, to keep working on it. I changed the size, the font, the colors, made it round, square, stretched it one way and another. Finally, after weeks of tweaking and reworking, I showed him and he smiled. He knew I had that ‘a-ha moment’. He knew I’d figure it out. He never wanted us to settle, to take any sort of easy way out. Because of this, I learned the nuances of the design process, and, more importantly, that graphic design was a craft.
There isn’t enough time to explain everything he taught me. Every single day as a professional graphic designer, I am reminded of something I learned from Dennis. His impact and influence on my life and my career will never be forgotten.
My beloved brother died unexpectedly in October of 2006, so I understand what you will be going through in the days and years to come. My advice is to take your time, to allow yourselves to grieve, allow your heart to cry and to mourn but also to feel at peace and even, laugh. Everyone grieves differently, and it won’t be easy. I have a grief blog I write in every now and then: planetgrief.blogspot.com. I think it’s wonderful you had a blog for Dennis and that he was even able to write some entries. Those are priceless. I think one of the most important and most helpful things to know as you go through your grief journey, is that people will always remember Dennis. Even people that you won’t hear from will think about him and how he enriched their lives. His spirit will resonate.
Peace be in your hearts,
Trish Hathaway
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteEven though we lost touch for quite some time, I will always remember your kindness, friendliness, and warm heart. Your love for Jess and Tash showed in every word when you talked about them. I will always remember beautiful you, beautiful Rebecca and beautiful Jessica and Natasha. Rest in peace...
Love,
Yassya
Dear Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI was one of the fortunate people to have you as my professor for Senior Capstone Thesis. Your subtle humor, kind demeanor, and high expectations have played a large part in the design professional I am today. Philadelphia University has lost great man. I know that your legacy will live on in your students forever.
my condolences to your loving family,
maria bellano
class of 99
To Dennis' family & friends,
ReplyDeleteThis loss is still a shock to me, and it's so peculiar for I barely knew him. He came to my class last semester and gave one single lecture, but I felt an odd connection with him for that hour or so that he talked to my animation class. I think it's because I've seen him around, not on the school's campus but at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where I took my mother for her cancer treatment as well before she passed this past July. I would see him walking the other way down the halls on the way back from the hospital wing, down from the clinic, or maybe once or twice while my mother and I sat waiting for the transfusion room. I knew I recognized the face but I didn't make the connection until I saw him in my class, and it was then that I knew it was him and a chill went down my spine.
So, I know personally that the condolences might be getting a bit annoying to hear, but I am truly, deeply sorry for your loss. Personally feeling the same way that you probably do, I've been there and I know times are tough and will be for a long, long while. Just move at your own pace, don't hold back your grief, and make sure to remember him the way you want to. You're lucky to have each other, lean on each other for support as it's the best thing for you.
I wish you and your family peace. I rang a bell for Dennis, because as the saying goes, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings."
Thank you for allowing me to learn so much more about Dennis. I had the opportunity to work with him at Philadelphia University. Dennis provided me my first teaching opportunity and mentored me as I found my voice in the classroom. I feel fortunate to have known and learned from him.
ReplyDeleteI love teaching now and am working towards a career in education. This wouldn't have been possible without Dennis believing in me and my abilities.