Robert Dennison ’52

Robert Artson Dennison, age 93, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Freedom Village in Holland, MI, where he had lived for the past 8 years. He was born on May 9, 1928 in Claremont, NH to Artson Vard and Marion (Archibald) Dennison.  He was a very proud descendant of Mayflower passenger John Alden, as well as John Adams and Joshua Chamberlain.

Bob graduated from Glen Ridge High School in New Jersey.  He was signed by his beloved Boston Red Sox as a pitcher and played professional baseball for a couple years before being sidelined by an injury. Bob went on to earn a teaching degree from Hope College where he played both baseball and basketball.

During his years at Hope, Bob met his wife, Elisabeth Schmidt, and they were married on August 1, 1953.  They had an extraordinary marriage filled with much love and tenderness.  Liz meant everything to him and together they raised four wonderful children in their warm home in Piscataway, NJ.  Liz preceded him in death in January 2000 and he missed her deeply every day after, mentioning her name in nearly every conversation.

Bob turned down the opportunity to return to playing pro-ball in order to serve his country during the Korean War.  He served in the US Army from 1952 to 1955 as an Artillery Officer.  He came home from Korea a decorated hero,  after seeing heavy combat throughout his tour. Bob later joined the Army National Guard, where he attained the rank of Major.

Bob worked as a science teacher for 40 years in the Central New Jersey area, teaching at both Bridgewater and Metuchen High Schools. Among friends and family, he was always teaching something about nature, geology, physics, or biology.

Bob loved gardening, pruning trees until they looked like telephone poles, throwing anything he could burn into his fire pit, trying to outsmart the squirrels on his birdfeeder, buying absurd quantities of food at Costco, and finishing off the day with a great steak and apple pie.

Most importantly, Bob was a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a long-time member at churches in Bound Brook, Metuchen and Dunellen, New Jersey. He was very active in the church, serving in leadership, and singing bass in the choir. He met death without any fear, but full of trust and hope in his Savior.  He was a model for manhood and will be greatly missed by all.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his three sons, Scott Dennison ’83 of Piscataway, NJ, Glenn (Aileen) Dennison of Fremont, CA, and Todd (Lisa) Dennison of Branchburg, NJ; and his daughter, Susan Dennison ’96 (Rev. Dr. John) Kenny of Grand Haven, MI; his six adoring grandchildren: Sarah and Amanda Dennison, Evan, Aidan, and Elisabeth Kenny, and Maria Dennison; and one great-grandson, Jayce Dennison.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a brother, Bill Dennison.

Return to Current In Memoriam