Dennis "Popi" E. Hummel

Dennis Edwin Hummel July 26, 1930 - January 5, 2010 A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 8, 2:30 p.m., at Hillcrest Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd. Dennis "Denny" Edwin Hummel, 79, passed away on January 5, 2010 at his home, surrounded by his family, following a short illness. Our beloved husband, father, and Popi, was born on July 26, 1930 in Los Angeles, California to George and Margaret Hummel. Denny moved to Bakersfield in the late 1940's and married Bonnie Ray Lynn on April 21, 1951. Denny is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bonnie; his children, Dee, Michael, Bradley and Mel, daughters- in-law, Monica, Tish, and Valerie; grandchildren, Casey, Kelly, Lindsay, Hannah, Timothy, Carly, Sydnee, Brody, Hali, and Autumn, and great- grandchildren, Luke, Aiden, and Mikaelah. Denny served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Bronze Star for Heroic and Meritorious Achievement for saving the life of an injured fellow soldier. In addition, Denny was a diligent community servant, donating 13 gallons of blood to the residents of Kern County. Denny worked for over 35 years for the Kern County Roads Department as a Civil Engineer, before opening his own business. He had many friends at the County and was well-liked wherever he went, always making life fun. In the past, he played golf three days a week with some of his "County friends" and continued to stay connected to these "cronies," playing cards monthly. Denny worked tirelessly to make life fun for his kids and grandkids- vacationing at Bass Lake, swimming, boating, and sporting events. He was integral to the lives of each of them and was a model father and grandfather. For 50 years, you could find him in the bleachers at the games of his kids and grandkids, hollering encouragement. He was very hands-on taking the kids Trick or Treating (in costume himself), creating science fair projects, building forts (Fort Apache may still stand!), Pinewood Derby cars, or even a Batmobile push-car for Bradley, his middle son. When his family was around and having fun, Popi was the happiest and most complete. He will be dearly missed.