David Dale Dennis

David Dale Dennis was born the third child to Sam and Nadine Dennis August 19, 1938 in Macon, Missouri. From early days he suffered from asthma and hay fever which in that far off time was limited in medical treatments. In search of climate that was high and dry, after selling the humble farm items, the family moved to Pueblo, Colorado. Mother Nadine could not tolerate the high altitude and a compromise was reached to move to Garden City in Western Kansas.

The home was devoutly Christian and from the second grade through grade eight David attended the little Adventist School in Garden City. Following ninth grade studies at the Garden City Junior High the family moved to Hutchinson, in the central part of the state. Here David completed his High School studies and a year at the local Junior College. He took the vocational printing classes in high school that qualified him for employment in the graphic arts trade. David then transferred to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska for his final three baccalaureate years. Work was obtained at the College Press to finance his education. His parents, who lived a modest lifestyle, pressed a $50 note into David's hands upon leaving for school in Nebraska. This he returned to them on his first visit home within some nine weeks and was able to finance his education free of debt for the next three years. The final summer David sold books in Western Kansas and was so successful that his college was paid off with funds left over to purchase a new automobile and pay for a trip for he and his mother to the West Coast.

In his senior year, David met the love of his life, Charlotte Morris, as they sang together in the College Choir. They were united in marriage in Charlotte's home town, Boulder, Colorado on September 4, 1960. Together they shared 62+ years together. This young couple were called into mission service, first in South America where they worked in Uruguay and Chile before transferring to Indonesia and Singapore. In South America they became fluent in the Spanish language.

A highlight of their service abroad was the five years in Indonesia where they learned to speak and use the Indonesian language. They enjoyed the exotic fruits chief of which was the spiney {and some think smelly} durian. It was challenging to visit the eight local fields, the health centers including one hospital and a publishing house. Another five years was devoted to auditing in the Far Eastern Division headquarters in Singapore. Following fourteen years overseas David and Charlotte were called to work at the Adventist World Headquarters in Takoma Park, Maryland. After a year back in the States David was appointed chief auditor for the General Conference, a position he held for more than eighteen years before his retirement from church employ.

During their years abroad and in connection with their service at the General Conference a number of special trips were enjoyed which included multiple visits to beautiful Iguazu Falls at the confluence of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Travel across the lakes of Patagonia in South Argentina and South Chile. Tierra del Fuego Island at the tip of the South American continent. Lake Titicaca and the floating islands. The islands of Hawaii on various visits including Molokai and Kalaupapa. Travel to the Middle East, Egypt and Israel. A jaunt by car from the Nordkapp to Gibraltar. A trip by boat up the fjords of Norway. A camping trip in East Africa which included the Serengeti Game Reserve. Gazing upon massive Victoria Falls. Once he did a flying trip from London to Copenhagen by car. He visited the Keukenhof flower gardens of the Netherlands. A boat cruise down the Douro River in Portugal from Porto. A favorite hangout was the mountains of Switzerland which he often enjoyed by rail. Annual Council meetings in Manila, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Bangalore and Perth. Multiple visits to India and the Taj Mahal. And attendance at sessions in Detroit, Dallas, Vienna, New Orleans and Indianapolis. There were seminars in Costa Rica, Maine, Hope, BC, the Grand Tetons and Mackinac Island. Tours were made to China, Croatia and the Copper Canyon in Mexico. Public evangelism was conducted in Indonesia, Newfoundland, Ghana, Moldova and Montenegro.

Joining son, Sam, in 1994 David worked another seventeen years in an accounting partnership in Maryland's suburbs. David earned a Master in Accounting degree from the University of Kansas in 1967 and in 1971 successfully completed work on the designation of Certified Public Accountant.

Upon retirement in 2010 David and Charlotte spent Winters in South Florida and Summers in Loveland, Colorado. Finally, they settled full time in Colorado. David enjoyed robust health most of his 80+ years until suffering from heart disease. He passed to his rest, awaiting the call of the Lifegiver, on the 26th of April, 2023 and leaves behind a lovely wife, Charlotte; two great children, Sam of nearby Berthoud with his wife Michelle and Cheryl of Maryland; and two adult granddaughters plus a great grandson.