Mrs. Moran- 

I will never forget visiting Europe and seeing you and Mr. Moran walking down the street near me in London! I will never forget the both of you, always smiling. I was able to have art class with the two of you at separate times. I can recall Mr. Moran showcasing and explaining the importance of block letters. His classroom was so cool.  His caricature work later on was so fitting.  I still retain my original sketch book graded by you as well. Teaching is a profession that leaves indelible marks on so many. I gifted a child their first drawing pencils recently and it was a touching moment. This is because of the interest you both generated decades prior! 

So very sorry for the loss, yet so happy to have been a student of. Unbelievable treasure 

I was a student at Salinas High School during my sophomore year.  I remember Dennis performing solo performances to very funny skits in the auditorium.  He had everyone laughing and smiling in every performance.  I was amazed at his talent.  Near the end of that school year (1956),  I met Dennis.  We talked, we laughed, and then he asked me out.  Very surprised.  He included me in his church activities that I enjoyed very much.   Near the end of the school year, my father found a teaching job in San Jose.   We moved away to a new home in Campbell.   New friends, new adventures.   I had a friend who was a student at Oakland Arts & Crafts and who should be there but Dennis!  He was on his way to his life in the arts and all of his creative adventures and with people who loved and cherished him.  He will always have a special place in my heart and in the hearts of all who knew him.

Mary and Family,

What a moving story about Denis' life!  I consider myself privileged to have worked alongside Dennis as a volunteer at the Quicksilver Mining Museum. He never missed an opportunity to make me smile (or anyone else for that matter) or to enlighten those with an interest on the history of New Almaden and the mining of quicksilver in the 1800s.  I remember the last Play Like a Miner event that I attended (2019) with Mary and Dennis in charge of the kid's gold panning activity.  He never missed the chance to excite kids about rocks and mining and used his charm and wit to connect with audiences like no other volunteer I knew.  Beyond that, Dennis was extremely generous and kind and went out of his way to make others feel special and appreciated.  I will forever be grateful for the wonderful period of time from 2010 to 2017 when I had the honor of working with the docent volunteer group at Casa Grande.  They were extremely active and giving of their time and talents.  Denis never turned away from an opportunity to support the museum, the staff, or other volunteers.   I also appreciate Dennis' encouragement of my two young sons.  He made personalized caricatures of them (still framed and on the wall to this day) and made sure to help feed their interest in the outdoors with their own hand-me-down pocketknives from his collection that they could keep for themselves and remember him by.  I will never forget Dennis and his bright smile and warm heart.  It makes me smile from ear to ear every time I think about him.  Thank you, my friend, for a life well lived and for allowing me to be just a small (but wholly meaningful) part of it. 

Julie Lee

Santa Clara County Parks Staff

Mary and family,  

Sorry to hear about Dennis’ passing. He was always very friendly. He truly loved sharing his knowledge with others. I met both him and Mary at the New Almaden Museum and I love them both. 

May Dennis rest in peace 💕