Dennis was born on November 23, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, to Arthur and LaVerne Tabel. He attended Lane Tech High School in Chicago and then the University of Idaho, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Physics as part of the Naval ROTC program. After graduating, he served in Vietnam as a lieutenant in the Navy.
He married the love of his life, Patricia D. Kendrick, on June 20, 1964. They raised two girls, Kristina and Cheri. After leaving the Navy in 1968, Dennis began work in engineering — first for a firm in Chicago, and then another company in Omaha where he became a self-taught, then certified, mechanical engineer. He was a builder. In his professional life and his personal life, he built things. From patio tables and kids’ desks to nuclear power plants, he designed and built things. When he tired of being behind a desk as a mechanical engineer, he moved to the sales side and worked as a manufacturer sales representative, building relationships that lasted a lifetime.
Dennis believed strongly in serving God, others, and his country. He was a “pioneer” for Christ Lutheran Church, serving as a long-time usher, as a member of the leadership team, and as part of the team that founded Stephen Ministers at the church. He lovingly served in the Stephen Ministers role — hoping to ease others' suffering, if only for a little while. Once retired, Dennis also actively volunteered as an election worker and, eventually, a polling judge.
If you asked him, though, Dennis would tell you his most favorite role was that of Baba to his two grandsons, Jackson and Tanner, his pride and joys. Countless hours on the soccer sidelines, at school recitals and performances, family vacations and long walks together with the dogs — that is how his grandsons will remember their time with him.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Arthur, and his mother, LaVerne. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and his two daughters, Kristina (Marvin) Cole and grandson, Tanner; Cheri Tabel and grandson, Jackson.
Graveside service with Military Honors is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2020 at Johnson County Memorial Gardens 11200 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Veterans Community Project, which provides housing and support services to veterans.
Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com
