32 years, I’ve loved this man. My rock, my support, my wise listener, my storyteller, my lover of life and people, my banjo playin’, funny and distinguished dude, my Dennis, my adopted dad. So much goodness and strength from just a farm boy from MI.
I was 18 yrs old when I first met Dennis. After high school graduation in 1985, I started working at the Fruitport Country Club that Dennis and his brother owned. One day while working, Dennis asked what I was up to that weekend, as I had asked for the weekend off. I told him “I’m taking the Amtrak to Chicago to stay the weekend with my friend. She just rented an apartment on Rush St.“ Dennis replied “oh...well how about I drive you there?” I told him “no, that’s ok, I can take the train.” He said “well, I can get you there quicker and I don’t mind.“ So I agreed for him to drive me. I remember climbing into the front seat of the big, blue Cadillac. I was nervous as I only knew him a short time and he was my boss. But the ride was smooth as we conversed and got to know each other. We arrived in Chicago on Rush st at dark. He dropped me off, waved goodbye and he drove all the way back home. That was the start of our bond.
Another memory that stands out was in 1989, I was terribly sick and living in east Lansing going to MSU. A friend contacted Dennis to tell him how ill I was. Dennis drove an hour and a 1/2 to come see me, take me out for a bowl of soup, tell me funny stories to cheer me up to then drive all the way back home. That kind deed had the biggest impact of my life. He truly cared. With no attachments or expectations just pure unconditional love. I could go on and on with so many stories to tell about Dennis and his kind nature towards me and my family. Dennis and Sandra both. They saw me through my twenties, thirties and forties. Marriage, starting a family. They were both directly involved in helping to raise my daughters. And for this I am eternally appreciative of.
What most impressed and baffled me at times, was his immense strength to remain positive and uplifting to those around him even though he was in pain and suffered most of the time I knew him. He was always encouraging and listened to me attentively. He never gave me advice unless I asked. This past summer, he shared with me how proud he is of the life I’ve created for myself and that he hopes I continue to be happy. He took advantage of moments to share with me how he felt. Without the last three decades of his encouragement and love, I would have grown up a much different person. So if you wonder where I learned how to treat others with kindness, to listen attentively, to find the silver lining in every cloud, to dream big and care for others - it was from this beautiful soul, who took me under his wing when I was young, to be my mentor and teach me the value of hard work, loving others even though they hurt you & to live life to the fullest. What I learned the most from him, is you never truly know when you’re going to take your last breath on this planet... so live each breath like it’s your last.
As Mary Oliver once said, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?.... When it’s over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.” Dennis knew how to embrace life. He knew how to choose ‘happy.’ We always have a choice. There is a saying in Sanskrit, “Lokah samastah sukino.” May all beings be free and happy. Dennis always chose to be happy. FILL yourself with joy... because you can, because you can choose. Find your happy and Shine on. Shine brightly. Shanti~ Karen Marie Rothenberger
P.S. Dennis got his nickname, Popi, when my girls were young. There was a time where he ate popsicles all the time. So his girls started calling him Popi:)
