Dennis Melvin Dodge

Dennis was born August 31, 1955 in Reed City, Michigan. He was raised in Evart by his parents, Donald and Mona Lou (Mort) Dodge, and grew up in the home his father built. Dennis grew up learning from his father and uncles many things that would serve him well throughout his lifetime. His handyman, electrician, and car repair skills were learned by working alongside his relatives as he grew up. When he was young, Dennis discovered a love and affinity for HAM radio communication. He obtained his amateur radio license at age 15 and it led him to forge lifelong friendships with fellow operators. Many nights were spent in the radio shack listening to, and speaking with, operators from all over the country. If the signal was really good, he could call further. If you ever received a call from NN8C, that was Dennis.

After graduating from Evart High School in 1973, Dennis moved to Sault Ste. Marie to attend Lake Superior State College. He received a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology in 1976, graduating a full year ahead of schedule thanks to his drive and determination. Dennis also managed to pick up an extra associates degree along the way in Computer Engineering Technology. He and his first wife, Lisa, were married in 1976. His love for LSSC brought him back to campus as an instructor in the Engineering department during the 1977-78 school year. Education was important to Dennis, and this was passed on to his children and grandchildren. Being in ‘the Soo’ helped build his lifelong love of freighters and ‘watching boats.’

The summer of 1978 brought a career opportunity with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company. Dennis and his wife relocated to Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX) in Maryland where he spent the next four years as a lead flight test engineer on the F/A-18 Hornet. This career move would further cement a love of aircraft which had also been passed down from his father. Dennis kept a private pilot’s license and could often be found at the airstrip working on and taking small aircraft on flights. In the spring of 1982, the family again relocated with McDonnell Douglas to St. Louis, Missouri where he worked on several other aerospace projects including the Canadian F/A-18.

Dennis and his family moved to Michigan in 1992 to be closer to family. He made a career change, moving from aircraft to boats, and worked for Four Winns Industries in Cadillac for a short time before the pull of aircraft was strong enough to bring him back to McDonnell Douglas. He did return to Michigan, settling in Holland and a position with Tiara Yachts. Dennis ended his career as an engineer while working for JR Automation with the largest group of Lake State Alumni he had ever worked with. Those who worked with Dennis knew how vast his knowledge was, of all things. If he didn’t have an answer, or wanted to know more, he would spend hours researching the topic. Never a reader of fiction, Dennis could often be found with Popular Science magazine, or a manual for an EKG machine, in hand. He was always learning, always questioning, and always sharing what he learned. He taught his children well, encouraging them to ask questions, find the answers, make an informed decision, and stand by that decision.

Dennis was always working on a project, writing a new computer program, or building something with those lifelong learned skills. Remarried in 2003 to Debbie (Kamp), the pair spent countless hours watching boats on the St. Mary’s River or Jeeps on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. If you ever met him on a ski lift, or at Menard’s, you could easily strike up a conversation.

Over the years Dennis built three homes for his family to enjoy and helped with numerous others. His latest project, the ‘house at the lake’, will forever be cherished and enjoyed by his family. Dennis was a great mentor to many, leaving behind a legacy beyond measure and memories to last a lifetime.

Surviving Dennis are his wife, Deborah (Kamp), children, Hilary Dodge of Traverse City, Jason (Nicole) Dodge of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Tyler, Noah, Emma and Reece. Bonus daughter, Rebecca (Kaver) Ikeda, and grandchildren, Kristopher, Victoria, and Angelique. His mother, Mona Lou (Mort) Dodge-Crawford; brother, Danny, nephew Jarrett, first wife, Lisa, and lifelong friend and confidant, Scott Yost also survive among many cousins, nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Preceeding Dennis in death are his father, Donald Dodge, an infant brother, Tommy, as well as grandparents Beatrice and Ezra Mort and Leonard and Rose Dodge.

The Dodge Family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the care and support of Dennis and his family while he was a patient at Holland Hospital. They truly gave everything they could to honor and care for him, and we are forever grateful. Thank you for helping us be “slow and steady” through our last month with him.

A celebration of Dennis' life is planned for Saturday, July 24 at the Golden Township Park at Silver Lake.

The Dennis M Dodge Engineering Scholarship has been established at Lake Superior State University. Contributions may be directed to: LSSU Foundation, www.lssu.edu/give, with this scholarship name in the field indicated.