Dennis Ralph Dempsey passed away on September 16, 2024, at Columbine Manor in Salida, Colorado. He was 75 years old.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Brenda, and their two daughters: Tina Kosmicki of Bailey, Colorado, and Kimber Dempsey of Centennial, Colorado. He is also survived by his sisters, Nancy Schueneman of Hurst, Texas, and Dorothy Clark of St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Born on July 2, 1949, in Harvey, Illinois, to Ralph Dempsey and Dorothy Lomax Dempsey, Dennis lived a life defined by dedication, kindness, and quiet strength. He graduated with honors from the Business School at Colorado State University in 1971.
An accomplished professional, Dennis built a distinguished career as an IT executive, serving as Vice President at United Airlines, U.S. West, and Teradata Corporation. After retiring from Teradata in 2016, Dennis continued to stay active, working at Murdoch’s in Salida.
Dennis had a passion for aviation, earning his private pilot’s license and contributing many years of service on the Harriet Alexander Field Airport Advisory Board in Salida. He also had a deep love for rock and roll music and treasured his friendship with Alto Reed of the Bob Seger Silver Bullet Band.
To all who knew him, Dennis was a kind, gentle, and generous soul. He had an infectious smile, a warm spirit, and an uncanny ability to lift the mood of any room—whether through a listening ear, a kind word, or an adult beverage offered with a smile.
After a courageous nine-month battle following a stroke in December 2023, Dennis passed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories.
His absence will be profoundly felt, but his kindness and love for life will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
