Dennis Thomas Strickland

He was born in Manhattan, New York, in 1950 to Jewel Strickland and Katherine Duffy. He graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from SUNY Binghamton, where he also earned his Master’s in English Literature.

He married Janice Lipani in 1972, and the couple had three children, Adrien, Timothy, and Brian, each of whom remained an important force in their father’s life. Although the couple divorced in 1996, they remained friends until Dennis died.

Always inspired to give to others, Dennis went to work for the Federal government in 1975. He held positions with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration. He ended his esteemed career at Pfizer as the Senior Director of the FDA Liaison Office.

Dennis was known for his charm, wit, and intelligence, which will be treasured by his family and friends. He greatly valued all his colleagues, past and present. Throughout his successful career, Dennis found great joy in helping others build their own personal and professional networks. Dennis’s continued relationships with many past co-workers had been a great comfort to him in his final months.

Throughout his life, Dennis was dedicated to personal growth. In the last few years alone, he studied mindfulness and explored Native American culture. He and his partner, Michael, visited four different continents, called by Dennis’s adventurous spirit. He also cherished the new experiences created by spending time with his young granddaughters, Anika and Finnley.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents. He leaves behind his loving partner of 15 years, Michael Schuchert; his children; his daughter in law, Cheyanna; his brother, Edward; his granddaughters; and many friends.

A private memorial service will be held on February 9, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Brain Tumor Association, the International Campaign for Tibet, or the Red Cloud Indian School.