Dennis John Zurek

January 22, 1942 — December 5, 2024

Retired U.S. Army Colonel, Dennis John Zurek passed away on December 5, 2024, at 82 years of age, at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, in Monterey, California, surrounded by his beloved wife of 55 years, Jean and his loving daughter, Andrea. His granddaughter Addison was able to visit him before his passing and his loyal brothers, Phil Zurek and John Zurek were able to say a few words to Dennis, via the telephone, so he was aware of their love for him as well. Dennis battled his cancer, and the unforeseen complications that arose with the illness, with the same strength he showed in his military career.

Dennis had a robust military career in the United States Army, Dental Corps and was an accomplished soldier as well as a tenured and well-respected periodontist, serving over 30 years in the miliary and retired in 1992 as a full bird Colonel. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal for exceptionally meritorious conduct and performance, an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star and an Army Service Ribbon for overseas service.

He finished his career at the Presidio of San Francisco, as one of the last military families to reside on base, before the state took it over to incorporate it in the Golden Gate Park system. Dennis and Jean have lived in Pebble Beach, California for the last 30 years since Dennis’ retirement.

Dennis was born on January 22, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to John Walter Zurek and Anna Bula. Dennis was the eldest of four brothers, Phil Zurek, David Zurek and John Zurek. Dennis’s father worked as a bus driver while his mom was a homemaker. They believed in the value of a good education and all four boys attended St. Ignatius High School in Chicago, Illinois. They all went on to graduate and attend prestigious universities and build successful careers. While growing up, Dennis served as an altar boy at their local Catholic church and worked part-time for the Chicago transit system in the underground toll booths. He also helped to stock shelves at a local grocery store and often told detailed stories about how he stocked carefully, hand-wrapped tomatoes in tissue paper that were placed in wood crates for transport. He also learned invaluable handyman skills helping a local building supervisor make repairs at a neighborhood residential building. These life skills helped serve Dennis well as he moved forward with his military career and the experiences also gave Dennis great material to tell elaborate stories of his childhood and entertain family members at holiday gatherings.

He attended Loyola University of Chicago, School of Dentistry in 1961 and graduated at 19 years of age. He then went on to earn his Doctorate degree and study periodontology and become a specialist in his field

By 1968, his military career in the United States Army had taken off and he was assigned to Korea to spend time helping the local U.S. based troops. He spoke fondly of his military travels; and flew back and forth on a military transport plane that contained U.S. tanks.

Shortly thereafter, he was assigned to Baumholder, Germany and met his wife, Jean Zurek. The two of them were living in apartment housing provided by the U.S. Army, when they met in a laundry room. Jean Zurek had traveled to Germany, as a U.S. based teacher, who had decided to move from San Jose, California and see the world, while teaching children of U.S. soldiers and their families that were based in Germany. Dennis had a habit of leaving his socks in the dryer and Jean had tied them together one day, thinking that would finally get his attention. It worked! A few days later, Dennis asked Jean if she wanted to meet a real-life U.S. General, and the two went on their first date together. Three years of dating and going on many travel adventures throughout Europe finally led Dennis to proposing to Jean, only after Jean had returned to the United States to be with her mom and dad. Jean accepted the marriage proposal, after receiving a very heartfelt letter from Dennis, with a special pen she had left him as a gift back in Germany.

Dennis and Jean were married in March 1969 in Germany and then they were assigned to Washington D.C. In 1970, they welcomed their daughter, Andrea Zurek. A few years later, the military assigned them to Denver, Colorado, where their son, Aric Zurek was born.

Every five years, thereafter, the military assigned the family, like clockwork, to a new town where they established themselves. Dennis continued to work in various medical clinics and Jean stayed home to be a hands-on mother and became very involved in the kids’ afterschool activities and helped to volunteer in the local communities. The family’s travels took them to El Paso, Texas; Salinas, California; Killeen Texas; and finally, San Francisco, California. After 30 years, Dennis and Jean decided to retire in Pebble Beach, California, where they bought a home and enjoyed fixing it up and making it their own.

In 1999, Dennis graduated from Monterey College of Law in Monterey, California. As an avid learner, Dennis wanted to expand his educational acumen. Although, he never took the bar or practiced, he fully enjoyed being a student and expanding his legal knowledge. Instead of embarking on a new career, Dennis and Jean decided to regularly travel and enjoyed annual trips to Las Vegas and multiple, annual trips to Maui, Hawaii.

Beyond his family and career, Dennis’ interests included World War II military trivia, books, action movies, the television series Combat, and Jeopardy. Many times, he would outwit family members knowing most of the answers on Jeopardy, including Double Jeopardy and the final answer/question of the day! He fully enjoyed reading the newspaper, doing all the crosswords and games contained in the newspapers, and reading the comics. He enjoyed gardening with his wife, working on their home and spending time with family. He enjoyed fixing things and using the skills he had learned earlier in life fixing apartment buildings.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Zurek. He is survived by his wife, Jean Zurek and their two children, Andrea Zurek (granddaughter, Addison), Aric Zurek and his wife Claire Zurek (grandchildren, Miles and Olivia). Dennis is also survived by his two brothers, Phil Zurek and John Zurek and their respected families, many nieces, nephews, and additional extended family members.

The family also extends a special thank you to Home Connect Hospice as well as Choice Personal Care and the “Dream Team,” including Abigail, Brenda, Christian, Connie and Yolanda for their excellent care during the last 6 months. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 6, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to your favorite charity or an organization that supports the cure of cancer or kidney disease.