Col Richard F. Dennison, Us Army (Ret.)

COL Richard (Denny) F. Dennison, US Army (Ret.), age 97, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016 at the Chapel Pointe Friendship Circle Household in Carlisle.
He was born August 30, 1918 in Baker, Montana to the late Orval Thomas and Annette Mary Leonard Dennison, and was the widower of the late H. Jewell Temple Dennison, who passed away on April 5, 2004.
Many of Denny's early years were spent at his uncle's ranch on the plains near Ekalaka, MT, where his mother taught in country school houses. He lived in Great Falls, MT during his high school years. Denny graduated from the University of Montana-Missoula with a business degree, was commissioned in the US Army in 1940 and was posted to a variety of locations in Alaska and the Northwest. In 1943, Denny and Jewell were married in Anchorage, and Denny was then called to duty in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan at the end of WWII. Following tours at the Presidio (San Francisco) and Fort Benning (GA), he was sent to combat duty in Korea in 1952, and then returned and completed an MBA at the Univ. of Texas-Austin. Afterward, Denny and family were posted to Germany in 1963, and in 1967, returned to the states and assigned to the Pentagon.
During his service, Denny received the Combat Infantry Badge, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star (three awards, one with Valor), the Army Commendation Ribbon, the Greek War Cross and many theater ribbons. Other post-graduate studies included those at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth KS and at the Industrial College of Armed Forces in Washington, DC. Colonel Dennison retired from the Army in February 1968.
Denny began his civilian career as the Executive Director of the Cumberland County Association for Retarded Citizens (CPARC) in Carlisle and subsequently served as Business Manager of the Loysville Youth Development Center.
Denny was a founder of both the Pennsylvania state chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill and of its local branch, and was Treasurer and board member for many years. In retirement, Denny enjoyed working on the farm outside of Carlisle, spending time with his grandchildren, and visiting family and friends, near and far.
He is survived by a son, Joseph T. (and wife Sue Ellen) Dennison of Carlisle; a sister, Virginia Garrelts of Salina, KS; four grandsons, Thomas, David, James and Michael Dennison; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, Denny was preceded in death by a son, Richard F. Dennison, Jr; three brothers, Philip Dennison, Robert Dennison and William Dennison; and a sister, Joan Dennison Smith.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 4:00 PM on May 22, 2016 at the Henry Chapel at Chapel Pointe Carlisle, 770 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA with Rev. Steve Motter officiating. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. There will be a visitation on Sunday at the Henry Chapel from 3:00 PM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the PA Chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill at NAMI PA, Cumberland/Perry Counties, P.O. Box 527, Carlisle, PA 17013.
Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA is handling the arrangements. To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com