Eulogy Given by my brother Richard Dennis (retired Lt. Col. Marine Corps) at my Dad’s Funeral:

Out of respect and to honor the memory of my father, I have a few words to say about a good man. He was a devoted son, who honored and respected his parents. A patriotic citizen…he served his country honorably during WWII. A loving husband through 51 years of marriage…he tried his best to make each day special. A doting granfather…he catered to the needs of his grandchildren, not with extravagant gifts, but with simple things…a stick of gum, a piece of candy. He had a way of making little things meaningful. Over the years, he was a loyal and hardworking and honest employee.

Yet, through it all…through good times and bad…through pain and disappointment, through sickness, job losses, reschooling late in life: facing rejection, operations and even death—he stood tall and met his challenges with dignity, with strength and with a trusting faith in God.

Through it all he faced each day with a smile and each one of us with a cheerful greeting. He was a man’s man, not in the Hollywood immature, irresponsible sense: but in the family Christian values sense. An honest man, a man of his word…he met his responsibilitlies. Secure in his manhood, he was not ashamed to show compassion, to say “I love you,” or to even cry.

Not boastful nor one to forcefully argue his views, he knew that actions speak louder than words. He had his principles and he lived by them. He set an example difficult to match—He truly followed the road less traveled.

Calling to notify me of our father’s death, while crying, my sister said, “He was a great man.” But, thinking of the “great men” in history, their common trait was that they brought pain and suffering to many. The greater the man, the more pain and suffering inflicted. To me, my father was a good man. A man who brought joy and happiness to others. With his strength, his dignity, compassion, his desire to put others first, his love of life and his faith – he set an example worthy to be followed.

He was a hero.

People say there are no heroes today. They’re looking in the wrong places. They won’t find them among the pampered million dollar sports personalities, in Hollywood, nor even in the political arena. The heroes can be found here, amongst people like my Dad.

We’re going to miss him dearly. We were truly blessed to have had him. Thank you, Dad, for making everything so special.

© 2002 Richard E. Dennis

Here is the eulogy my brother wrote about our Dad.
Find out the difference between a great man and a good one.
—Caroline, A Mom’s Love
You Made Everything Special

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