Julee Neuhart

Dennis had such a great personality that I believe everyone in our class knew him in high school.  I really enjoyed chatting with him at our recent reunions.  My heart goes out to his family.  It is so very sad to lose such a great guy. 

Ted Burkhalter

I'm so sad to hear of Dennis's passing. I have many memories of times spent with Dennis. Little league football, junior high dances at Mother's park and walking horses at Longacres. We would all walk from Mother's park after the dances and go to Tonkin's for Coke and fries. We used to make Alice the waitress crazy when we walked into the place.Lol. When Dennis was working at Pizza Pete, I always had to visit him and get a Pudgy Pete. When Dennis would come to my house to play, my Dad loved it cause Dennis loved to eat. I was a picky eater so he liked to see a kid who loved everything. He was a great friend to everyone and will be missed. My thoughts are with Carol and the family. 

Linda Toschi (Finn)

I am sooo sad to hear we lost Dennis...he was one of a kind, a special friend and fellow Italian whom I loved being friends with from an early age. Sending love and hugs to his family.

Terry Bartlett

Wow mr Renton High School for sure. A guy who stood out in a crowd like a shiny diamond. Mr. happy-go-lucky. Going to miss you Dennis rest in peace my friend.

Judy Dieckman (Lund)

So said to hear of Dennis's passing. I grew up on the same street as Dennis, he was a character and always had a smile on his face. He'll be missed by all of RHS and by most of Renton. RIP Dennis!!

Gayle Mead (Ware)

Dennis was my very first boyfriend in 5th grade. Does anyone else remember those 'broken' heart necklaces that everyone exchanged to indicate that you were 'going steady'? My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Martin Andrus

It's very sad news to hear about Dennis' passing. We all had memories from back in high school. Later Dennis was always there for each of us. He has gone to a better place. Rest in peace my friend.

Jerry Mullin

So here goes a a favorite Mullin/Niemi story about Dennis: A few summers ago the Niemi's, Scappini's, and Mullins were staying at Ricks nephew's house in Suncadia! It was a very hot weekend but we were having a great time. Unfortunately Dennis started getting a tooth ache so he wanted to go to the Cle Elum drugstore to get a sore tooth pain reliever. So myself, Rick, Dennis and Tyler Niemi (Ricks son) plied into Ricks Tahoe and off to Cle Elum we went. When we parked near the drug store and Dennis got out of the SUV and said in his best Dennis voice, "I'll be right back". Well right then and there, knowing Dennis, we should have been concerned. It was damn hot out and after about 15 minutes of waiting in the hot sun ☀️ we started wondering "what in the hell" was Dennis doing in the drugstore for so long. Finally after about 25 minutes here comes Dennis sauntering down the sidewalk, as only Dennis could, with a Seattle Times under one arm and carrying his medicine with the other hand. And the first comment out of Ricks mouth was, "what in the hell were you doing so long?". So it turns out that as per usual practice Dennis had to talk to every employee in the store, got their life's story and actually got one girl in trouble with her boss for talking to Dennis too long. But that was Dennis. He lived his life to the beat of his own drummer. He loved people and never met a person he didn't like. And he lived his life big, bold and beautiful. He became my good friend and I will forever miss him. 

Bonnie Tomkinson (Hill)

I just loved Dennis. We always got to catch up at the reunions for the past 7 years, But after a couple of those talks, I wondered if Dennis would be at the next reunion. I hate cancer. In the middle of last year I was at the Renton Safeway, in line. He was talking to the clerk, wearing a mask. He was going to his grandchild's soccer game. I made a comment. He turned to me and  said, "Bonnie! What are you doing here?" Then i realized it was Dennis. We hugged. I thanked God for putting us in the same place at the same time. I was ecstatic in August when Dennis was there, and he looked so much better than in the store. I have so enjoyed reading all of the previous comments. Prayers for his family. Now, he is busy brightening up heaven.

Arlene Metcalf (Finley)

So sorry to hear about Dennis passing. He was one of a kind, and every one loved him, he will be missed by his family & friends. He had such a great sense of humor and our world will be a little sadder with him not being in it. Rest in Peace!